Mentor Link recruits new mentors in marginalised communities

Mentor Link is a children’s charity which provides a service across the West Midlands offering long-term, weekly, one-to-one social and emotional listening support to disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.

WCF’s Inclusive Communities Fund grant supported Mentor Link’s Volunteer Recruitment Project in areas of deprivation in Worcestershire. The purpose of the funding was to recruit new volunteer mentors in Wyre Forest, Worcester and Redditch and, increase diversity among mentors to better engage with marginalised communities in these areas.

Mentors are recruited from all backgrounds and often volunteer because they have experienced some of the same issues as mentees. Newly recruited mentors include individuals who came through the Looked After System, experienced youth homelessness or have minority ethnic, disabled or veteran backgrounds. The new mentors received their training, were matched with young people and began their mentoring sessions.

After her first mentoring session one new mentor said:

“The kids are absolutely wonderful! Made my week. The staff at the school are fantastic also and made me very welcome. Thank you so much for this opportunity”.

You can watch a video of Hannah sharing her experience with her mentor here.

See Mentor Link’s website for more information https://www.mentorlink.org.uk/.