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Friday, November 4, 2011

 

What would you do differently if you could go back to school?
That’s the question being asked of people living in the Ipswich and Leiston areas, whose experience of life could help a young person make the most of their education.
Suffolk Education Business Partnership (EBP) is looking for local people to become mentors, who can talk to boys aged 12-15 in school and encourage them to achieve their ambitions.
The EBP has a successful track record of recruiting volunteers to inspire young people, and is working to target this support for boys from black minority ethnic and white working class backgrounds for a new project funded by the Stronger Communities Network on behalf of Suffolk County Council.
Paul McCarthy, EBP Mentoring Coordinator, explains: “We have had a great response form volunteers so far with lots of skills and experience to offer, however most are from white middle class backgrounds. From a young person’s point of view, the ideal role models are from backgrounds similar to their own, so would like to hear from black minority ethnic and white working class volunteers.
“The schools we are working with welcome mentoring as an effective way to support young people, particularly teenage boys. The mentor’s role differs to that of a teacher, parent or friend and provides young people with a safe space for them to talk of their ambitions, experiences and concerns. For some young people, positive and non-judgmental time and attention can provide an opportunity to explore and learn new skills to make the most of their time at school.”
Mentors attend a 12-hour training programme accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) at level 2 and undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before being assigned to schools to provide regular mentoring sessions. On-going support will be given by the EBP for all mentoring roles.
The next round of mentor training begins in late November 2011. To find out more, contact Paul McCarthy, EBP Mentoring Coordinator, on 01473 408062 or paul.mccarthy@suffolkebp.co.uk
Ends
For more information please contact:
Paul McCarthy, EBP Mentoring Coordinator
01473 408062

paul.mccarthy@suffolkebp.co.uk

 

What would you do differently if you could go back to school?

That’s the question being asked of people living in the Ipswich and Leiston areas, whose experience of life could help a young person make the most of their education.

Suffolk Education Business Partnership (EBP) is looking for local people to become mentors, who can talk to boys aged 12-15 in school and encourage them to achieve their ambitions.

The EBP has a successful track record of recruiting volunteers to inspire young people, and is working to target this support for boys from black minority ethnic and white working class backgrounds for a new project funded by the Stronger Communities Network on behalf of Suffolk County Council.

Paul McCarthy, EBP Mentoring Coordinator, explains: “We have had a great response form volunteers so far with lots of skills and experience to offer, however most are from white middle class backgrounds. From a young person’s point of view, the ideal role models are from backgrounds similar to their own, so would like to hear from black minority ethnic and white working class volunteers.

“The schools we are working with welcome mentoring as an effective way to support young people, particularly teenage boys. The mentor’s role differs to that of a teacher, parent or friend and provides young people with a safe space for them to talk of their ambitions, experiences and concerns. For some young people, positive and non-judgmental time and attention can provide an opportunity to explore and learn new skills to make the most of their time at school.”

Mentors attend a 12-hour training programme accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) at level 2 and undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before being assigned to schools to provide regular mentoring sessions. On-going support will be given by the EBP for all mentoring roles.The next round of mentor training begins in late November 2011.

To find out more, contact Paul McCarthy, EBP Mentoring Coordinator, on 01473 408062 or paul.mccarthy@suffolkebp.co.uk

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