Mentor (Blackburn with Darwen area)

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. **Barnardo’s Mentors** work with young people and adults on a 1:1 basis, offering practical assistance and emotional support, to build their self-confidence, coping mechanisms and positive relationships. The work could be focused on a particular need, such as gaining employment or accessing training, or it could be more focused around life skills and independent living. We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in people’s lives, with a friendly and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people and adults, empowering them to take steps towards improving their situation and achieving their goals.
Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children – no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen.

• Tasks: Working with children, young people or families on an individual basis, to help them achieve the desired outcomes of their plan.
  Building positive relationships with children and young people by meeting with them regularly on a one-to-one basis.
  Encouraging children and young people to access resources, groups and activities within their local community, such as after school activities, youth groups, and sports clubs.
  Accompanying children and young people to attend meetings or attending on their behalf.
  Supporting children to have their voices heard on decisions that affect them.
  Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
  Participating fully in training and supervision.
  Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours.

• Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
  Approachable and welcoming.
  The ability to empathise with children, who may be facing difficult times in their lives.
  Awareness of factors impacting on and issues facing young people (e.g. Disadvantage, poverty, disabilities, health conditions including mental health).
  Being passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people and families.

• Benefits: Full induction and training.
  Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
  Regular supervision and support.
  Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
  Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
  Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.

Disclaimer: We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the role exactly, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on volunteering@barnardos.org.uk or call us on 0208 498 7320