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The Junction 21 Mentoring and Advocacy Service volunteers support vulnerable young people aged between 10 and 21.
Following an increase in referrals seen following the Covid-19 pandemic, extra volunteers are needed. The scheme is particularly keen to hear from men to act as positive male role models.
Volunteers must undertake 24 hours of training (eight, three-hour sessions) to obtain a National Open College Network level 2 qualification in mentoring skills before they start mentoring. The next course, which will run between 6pm and 9pm, starts on Wednesday 11 January at the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare. Future courses may be run on other days and at different locations in the area subject to demand.
Volunteers need to be over 21, have no criminal convictions within the last five years and be clean of any substance issues for five years. They must commit to sparing a couple of hours a week for a minimum of 12 months. In return, volunteers will receive ongoing training opportunities, monthly group supervision, twice-yearly group events and regular relationship reviews.
A care leaver aged 20, and previous mentee on the Junction 21 scheme, said: “Having a mentor was like having a friend. My mentor was someone I could go places and enjoy myself with. My mentor really helped me to become the person I am today. Junction 21 helped me to have a bright future because I had someone who believed in me when no one else did.”
Clive Burston, Junction 21 volunteer, said: “I always fancied volunteering and liked the sound of the scheme when I read about it in the local paper. I signed up thinking that I’d do it for a year or so but eight years later, I’ve not looked back! It becomes part of your routine and is now an important part of my life. I enjoy building positive relationships with my mentees and helping them navigate through life.
“I was fortunate to have a great upbringing and so for me, mentoring provides me with the opportunity to give back and help young people who didn’t get the same start in life.
“I work and because the volunteering is flexible, it fits nicely around my working hours and other commitments. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.”
Debbie Phillips, Junction 21 volunteer, said: “My children were older teenagers when I started, so I had a bit of spare time. Junction 21 really stood out when I was looking at volunteering opportunities and 17 years later, I’ve never looked back.
“As mentors, we’re often the one constant adult in a young person’s life. Social workers, teachers, carers, and sometimes parents, come and go but you learn tools and are given support from Junction 21 co-ordinators to help you to gain the young person’s trust. It can take a bit of time but when it happens, it’s extremely rewarding.
“I’d encourage anyone passionate about young people and wanting to make a positive difference to their lives to step forward. It’s such a worthwhile way to spend your time and may just be exactly what you’ve been looking for.”
Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for lifelong learning, said: “Being a Junction 21 volunteer can be arranged around a person’s availability. Your life experience will be highly valued, and you will receive excellent training and support to develop key skills.
“Most importantly, you’ll get the rewarding opportunity of helping and supporting a young person to make positive life choices.
“If you can spare a couple of hours a week and would love to make a positive difference to a young person’s life – perhaps you were considering volunteering as your new year’s resolution for 2023 – I encourage you to get in touch.”
More information about the scheme is available on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/junction21. Anyone interested in attending a future course to become a mentor is encouraged to email junction21@n-somerset.gov.uk or call the team on 01275 888 360.