Mentoring for
young people
There are two different ways young people can work with me. These sessions are delivered online and always work around the needs of the young person themselves.
The Way Forward Programme
This six-week programme will take a young person from feeling frazzled, overwhelmed and worried, to calm, confident and in control. Together, we’ll work through five stages of our main mentoring programme which help uncover the things that are bothering the young person, establish the issues which are really important and look at hopes and dreams for the future.
STAGE 1
Feeling SAFE. It's important right form the start that a young person feels safe and secure emotionally and physically.
STAGE 2
We can then start to build TRUST and develop an understanding and an agreement about our sessions.
STAGE 3
Together, we'll work towards having a balanced approach to any issues and problems.
STAGE 4
This stage involves developing a toolkit of resources which a young person can use in different situations
STAGE 5
Finally, we'll celebrate that the young person is feeling more confident in their own skills an abilities and has some brilliant hopes and plans for the future.
It is important that the programme is delivered at consistent times over a six week period – so a half term of weekly meetings would be brilliant.
Each mentoring session lasts for 45 minutes and is followed up with notes and resources. Parents/carers also receive weekly updates.
It is also important that everyone involved in any of our mentoring programmes feels comfortable and involved in the whole process. I always therefore suggest that the very first step is an online chat with a family before we decide on any form of mentoring. I offer a free, no obligation chat (about 20 minutes) so that everyone gets a clearer picture of how mentoring can help a young person. Please contact me at gill@inkpots.org to discuss in more details.
Sounding Board Sessions
Sometimes, we all need to know there’s someone in our corner – who ‘gets’ us. Someone who can provide a bit of support and a sounding board.
That’s where Inkpots Sounding Board Sessions come in.
These are 40-minute blocks which can be booked as and when a young person needs them.
For example, some teenagers like to have a check-in every half term or term. For others, every other week works well. The subjects we cover are diverse as the indviduals too; sometimes it literally is just a check in and update. At other times, friendships might be giving some troubles or decisions like apprenticeships, college or universities are on the horizon.
These online sessions offer the consistent support which comes with mentoring but on a flexible basis. Sounding Board Sessions are ideal as a follow-up for students who have been through the main mentoring programme too.
Please contact gill@inkpots.org for more details.
We have been so grateful for your work with our daughter. It has been a great outlet for her and I am sure is helping her process her response to all that has gone on recently.”
Parent of 14-year-old student