Could you make a child feel valued?

DID YOU have a role model growing up, someone you trusted and could rely on?

Was there someone there to help you talk to the people close to you when things went wrong? Many young people living in Argyll do not have that essential support.

With time, kindness and understanding children can be genuinely helped to cope with the difficult challenges they face in a way which will last a lifetime.

Mentor

The search is on for trusted adults to support children involved in the child protection processes. Or to mentor, for three hours per week, a young person struggling to feel valued.

Two new projects supporting children and young people begin in Lochgilphead and Oban, Lorn and the Isles later this month and are searching for people with a sense of fun, fairness and a strong commitment to children’s rights.

Children 1st, Scotland’s national children’s charity, is one of 13 partner organisations funded by the Scottish Government set to deliver intandem, Scotland’s first ever national mentoring programme for looked-after children who are living at home.

Maggie Farrell, mentor co-ordinator for intandem, explained: ‘Looked-after children living at home in Scotland are not leading equal lives to their peers. Their mental health, education and ability to express their feelings are compromised by the challenges they face.

Sessions

‘Weekly mentoring sessions might include taster sessions of a new hobby, help with establishing new routines and habits; planning and goal setting; listening to their stories about the good days and the bad days.’

Find out what the power of mentoring and supporting children and young people can do for you, a young person and your community.

To find out dates for application meet-ups and training, email maggie.farrell@children1st.org.uk or call 07958 357 188.