Free mentoring service for girls and young women

Published: Monday October 10, 2022
Two women talking
© The Door

Girls and young women in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire can now benefit from an innovative new mentoring initiative: Gloucestershire Mentoring Programme.

This free service is being offered by a collaboration of seven trusted organisations and is available for 11–25-year-olds. Specifically, those whose life circumstances suggest they’re at risk of becoming involved in crime. And in some circumstances, those already linked to criminal activity.

Gloucestershire Mentoring Programme is hosted by The Door and funded by CHK Foundation, and offers young ‘at risk’ females the chance to form a long-lasting relationship with a trained volunteer mentor. Having a relationship with a trusted, independent adult is something that’s often missing in the lives of young people and can be life-changing. It helps them build resilience and grow in confidence, and, over time, empowers them to have a more positive future.

Jill Anderson, Gloucestershire Mentoring Programme Coordinator, says, “Before taking on this role, I hadn’t really appreciated the impact of mentoring. It can be life transforming. I feel blessed to be working with dedicated staff from seven trusted organisations to offer this new mentoring service for vulnerable girls and young women, helping them make good life choices and steer clear of direct involvement in the Criminal Justice System.”

If you know a young person who might benefit from the support the Programme offers (or you are that young person), you can visit gloucestershirementoringprogramme.co.uk to apply.

If you have a heart for understanding and supporting young people, a little spare time and would like to become one of the Programme’s volunteer mentors, the providers would love to hear from you. You can contact any of them directly or via the Programme website, which will help you find the one operating closest to you. No experience is required and full training will be provided.

The seven delivery organisations collaborating to provide this service are: 1625IP; Breathe; Nelson Trust; Thames Valley Partnership; The Door; WAM Youth; and Young Gloucestershire. Follow the Programme on social media and help them spread the word.

For general enquiries, email info@gloucestershirementoring programme.co.uk or call 01453 756745.

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