Do you think you could be a mentor?

Do you have what it takes to be an inspiration to others?

Edinburgh’s Volunteer Centre is now seeking volunteer mentors for a new project to help local unemployed people gain the necessary skills and confidence to get back into work.

What is a mentor?

The centre is looking for people who are interested in sharing their relevant experience and knowledge in a one-to-one relationship with someone going through a transition.

Perhaps you have experienced a similar transition – such as being unemployed or recovering from an illness – in your own life.

The centre is looking for people who are good listeners and are willing to be a sounding board for someone else’s ideas and goals.

You don’t need to be an ‘expert’ to be a mentor and your role isn’t to teach or be an instructor.

Nor do you need to be a ‘specialist’ in the factors involved in employability.

Above all, the centre is looking for mentors who can offer support and encouragement, helping our clients to build confidence and people skills.

Interested?

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, the centre can offer you:

• free training
• ongoing support for you in your mentoring partnership
• the opportunity to practise and develop mentoring skills
• the satisfaction of helping somebody develop and move on in their lives.

Funding has been secured from Big Lottery, OneCity Trust and the European Social Fund to develop this project across the city.

Need to know

To find out more about becoming a mentor, contact Barbara Matheson, Volunteer Centre Edinburgh. Call 0131 225 0647 E-mail barbara.matheson@volunteercentreedinburgh.org.uk