YOUTH mentoring organisation Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia is putting the call out for Ballarat based mentors and volunteers to join their ranks.<\/p>\n
With roles to fill for one-on-one and group capacities, BBBS CEO Mark Watt said the group\u2019s mentee intake has expanded following COVID-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mental health of young people has really suffered through the pandemic and into this year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of disconnection, isolation and anxiety and with the strain on families, we really need to boost our number of mentors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of great mentors but given the demand, we really need to reach out to the community for help on this one.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking for people from their late 20s and up who can connect with young kids, take them places, talk with them, just be there, really.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ballarat branch is seeking five to 10 mentors to enlist for 12-month commitments to maintain weekly contact and support with their mentees.<\/p>\n
Volunteer roles would include assisting with fundraisers and events like BBBS\u2019s gravel bike ride at Creswick last month.<\/p>\n
Mr Watt said there is a particular need for male mentors to take part in their Men2B program, which emphasises the kids\u2019 developments into manhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the kids we have are in need of a male role model specifically so there\u2019s definitely a gap there that we\u2019re looking to fill,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMen2B is very much activities-based, but it discusses a lot of life issues with them and provides that level of role modelling for our boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking at growing out a new phase with the program, which is a relatively new initiative, to increase what we do in Ballarat specifically.\u201d<\/p>\n
To volunteer or become a mentor, contact BBBS Ballarat\u2019s mentoring coordinator Jodie Downing or visit bigbrothersbigsisters.org.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
YOUTH mentoring organisation Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia is putting the call out for Ballarat based mentors and volunteers to join their ranks. With roles to fill for one-on-one and group capacities, BBBS CEO Mark Watt said the group\u2019s mentee intake has expanded following COVID-19. \u201cThe mental health of young people has really suffered […]<\/p>\n