Taking Grandmentors to new places!

During a week where we’re shining a spotlight on our work with and for young people, we’re delighted to announce that we’re going to be supporting young care leavers in two new local authority areas.

Both Stockton Council and Wiltshire Council will be teaming up with Volunteering Matters to launch Grandmentors in their area, providing inter-generational mentoring to young people leaving care. 

Inspired by the accepting and nurturing relationship between a young person and a grandparent, Grandmentors recruits, trains and supports volunteer mentors aged 50+, known as Grandmentors, who use their skills and experience to provide mentoring for young people leaving care during their transition into adulthood and independence.

The project has proven to be effective in improving life chances of young people, as demonstrated in Islington, London where the project was initiated in 2009, and is still running today. An evaluation found that after six months 95% of care leavers, supported by Grandmentors, were in education, employment or training. This compares to the national rate of 49%.

But the benefits aren’t just about moving into education, employment or training. Mentees have reported improved relationships, greater self-confidence and resilience and improved independent living skills to name but a few!

Grandmentors is rapidly expanding to new areas, most recently to Suffolk where mentors and mentees alike have been active in the community. Now young people leaving care in Stockton and Wiltshire will have the opportunity to be matched with a mentor.  If you’re over 50 and interested in volunteering, or if you would like to bring the Grandmentors model to your area, we would love to hear from you!

 

fIND OUT MORE ABOUT gRANDMENTORS Wiltshire:

Grandmentors Wiltshire

fIND OUT MORE ABOUT gRANDMENTORS sTOCKTON:

Grandmentors Stockton

 

 

Read Karen’s story of being a grandmentor