Mentor programme celebrates a decade
A programme that focuses on friendship and mentoring to support kids has celebrated 10 years in Taranaki.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), a programme that matches kids with volunteer mentors, held their tenth anniversary at The Rocks Urenui on Saturday with a mad hatters’ tea party.
BBBS programme coordinator for Taranaki, Warren Bain, said it was an amazing event for everyone involved.
‘‘The kids walked in and the first people they got to meet were Tweedledee and Tweedledum and Alice from Alice in Wonderland.’’
The programme has about 120 child-mentor matches in Taranaki, one of the largest in the country, he said.
‘‘We’re not really here for the really naughty kids or ones with serious behavioural issues or anything like that. It’s the kids that are missing out, missing out on the normal things like climbing Paritutu and going for walks on the beach or going for a bike ride.
‘‘The mentors aren’t their parents, they’re not Father Christmas, they’re not social workers. They’re there to be friends and role models.’’
He said they worked with 6-10 year olds with the idea that the mentoring relationship continues until they are 18.
BBBS are always looking for more volunteers but a lot of people thought they had to be ‘‘something amazing’’, but they mostly just had to be over 18 and have a driver’s licence.
‘‘We don’t have a huge criteria; it’s just someone with good character really that’s going to be a good role model.’’
The Rocks Urenui co-owner Alex Cole - aka Tweedledee - said they volunteered to host the event to give back to the community.
‘‘It was just lovely to see the smiles on the kids’ faces, and the adults,’’ she said.