THE Le Cheile Mentoring Project, which provides help for young people on probation and their families, is currently recruiting mentors who can give a few hours a week on a voluntary basis. Set up as part of The Mentor Order under the Children’s Act 2001, Le Cheile has been providing services to youths engaged with Young Person’s Probation nationally since 2005. The organisation is a child-centred, non judgmental service which recruits and trains volunteers from local communities to work with young people and their families involved in Young Person’s Probation.
The Project is looking for both male and female volunteers to act as mentors to young people or their parents, in the Clare/Limerick area.
In addition to probation supervision, the complementary role of an assigned mentor and the quality of that relationship, will support, guide and bring benefits from outside the family unit, to young people who are particularly at risk of offending behaviour and/or their parents. “The mentoring relationship helps combat the risk of further offending and offers positive alternatives to young people,” a spokesperson told the Limerick Post. Mentors meet with their young person on a weekly basis, and in all cases the contact is planned and involves a specific activity, either a leisure pursuit or a specific task with which the person need support.
They can come from diverse backgrounds and do not need to have any previous experience or training, as all training is provided. A thorough selection process including garda clearance and reference checks form part of the recruitment process. “Becoming a mentor provides volunteers with the opportunity to make real change in the lives of people in your own community”, the spokesperson continued.
“It also gives you time out every week to try new activities or rediscover ones from your own youth”.
One young person mentor said they had volunteered because they would have enjoyed the opportunity to be mentored as a youth.
“I wish that I had had someone to take me under their wing when I was that age. “I can now see the difference having that person can make on someone’s life. “It’s a bit of craic too, so you are giving something back to the community in a really fun way”.
