Pairing program about making connections

STAFF at Big Brothers Big Sisters Ballarat are calling out for people to put their hand up to be paired with a young person looking for a friend.

With 55 children on the waitlist for the one-on-one program, BBBS mentoring coordinator Jodie Downey said signing can be a rewarding experience.

“What happens when the young person realises this person is showing up for them and they’re not being paid is a friendship occurs,” she said.

“I think everyone understands the simplicity and power of having a friend and what that can do for a young person struggling with various issues.

“It’s someone who’s not part of their world coming in who can teach them new experiences and the young people conversely can do the same for them.

“It can take up to 40 days for our incoming mentors to be screened. It’s two interviews, reference checks, police and working with children checks, home visits, and online and face-to-face training.”

Having moved to Ballarat two years ago from Melbourne, Des Strydom is one of 12 matched mentors as part of the local BBBS program.

Six months ago he was paired with mentee Casey, and Mr Strydom said his involvement in the initiative has brought him closer to his new community and forged a genuine connection.

“Getting to explore the city has been great and being with Casey kind of gives us both the confidence to go places and speak to people and generally interact with other families,” he said.

“Casey and I spend between 90 minutes and three hours every week together every Saturday morning and we do a variety of things and activities. It’s the favourite part of my week.”

Casey said he looks forward to his mentor time every weekend.

“It feels like I’ve been waiting four years for this,” he said.

“I really like spending time with Des. We’ve done things like gone to the arcade, bowling, we get bargains at garage sales, we’ve been to the beach. It’s been good.”

Casey’s mother Nikki Rogers said having Mr Strydom in her son’s life has had a positive impact on him.

“He always lights up when he sees him,” she said. “He always gets excited every weekend when Des shows up.

“He’s wanted a big brother for so long and he’s voiced wanting that sort of sibling relationship since he was five years old. It’s someone he can confide in. He really conforms himself around Des.”

To express interest in becoming a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit the organisation’s website.