Become a Mentor: Change Lives with Big Brothers Big Sisters
Mentoring is more than just a word; it’s a powerful commitment that can transform lives. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, the impact of mentorship is profound, creating lasting relationships that foster growth, confidence, and resilience in young people. If you’ve ever considered becoming a mentor, now is the time to take that step. Here we explore the importance of mentorship, the benefits of becoming a big brother or sister to one of our ‘littles’, what impact it has had on the lives of our mentors and how you can make a difference in your community.
Understanding the Role of a Mentor
Mentorship is a unique relationship where one individual, the mentor, provides guidance, support, and encouragement to another, the mentee. This relationship is built on trust and mutual respect, allowing the mentee to grow and develop in various aspects of life.
How Does a Mentor Help a Child?
The impact that a mentor can have on a child’s life can be highly significant. We have seen many benefits of this relationship including:
Listening and providing support: being there to listen to the child’s concerns and aspirations.
Sharing personal insights: offering insights from personal experiences that can help guide them when making decisions.
Encouraging growth: motivating the child to pursue their goals and dreams.
Building confidence: helping to develop self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.
Introducing them to new experiences: offering the child opportunities to experience new things and broaden their views of the world.
The Importance of Mentorship
Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal development which extends far into adulthood. Research shows that young people with mentors are more likely to:
Pursue higher education
Be prevented from committing crime and offending
Secure employment
Develop positive relationships with adults
Report personal fulfilment and well-being
Why Choose Big Brothers Big Sisters?
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is dedicated to creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships. Here are some compelling reasons to consider becoming a mentor with BBBS:
Structured programme: BBBS work very closely with West Sussex County Council’s Kinship Care team to successfully match mentors with children across the county. Their structured programme ensures that both mentors and mentees receive the support they need to thrive.
Flexible commitment: BBBS understands that everyone has different schedules and commitments. As a mentor, you can choose the level of involvement that works best for you, whether it’s a few hours a month or more regular meetings. The only requirement is that meetings are consistent.
Community impact: By becoming a mentor, you are not only changing the life of one young person but also contributing to the overall well-being of your community. Mentorship fosters a sense of belonging and support, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Personal growth: Mentoring is not just beneficial for the mentee; it can also be a rewarding experience for the mentor. Many mentors report increased satisfaction, getting to build lifelong impactful relationships and feeling a deeper sense of purpose and connection.
What our Mentors Say
“I mentor a little brother who is 16. We have a great friendship; I feel privileged to be part of his journey through life and I look forward to seeing what happens next for him. For me, volunteering as a mentor the connection goes both ways. I like to think I offer support and encouragement and in return I get joy. The small wins we celebrate together make it one of the most rewarding parts of my life.”
“I mentor an 11 year old little sister, who was almost 10 when we first started. It's been incredible watching her confidence grow and getting to offer support when she needs me. It's also been brilliant giving her new experiences including walks, visits to art galleries and the highlight of our time together, showing her London for the first time.”
“I mentor a 12 year old boy. We have formed a strong connection over the last few months and I really look forward to the time we spend together. Various activities have included bowling, fossil show, reptile centre, interactive darts, butterfly farm, Tilgate Farm and any café that might serve something sweet! This role has offered me incredible satisfaction, I know our Saturdays are very important to us both.“
“So much starts in childhood and having my own son made me think even more about the children who are impacted by abuse and neglect. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to be a safe and consistent person and trusted adult for a child that needed it. I wouldn’t say I am someone who is amazing with kids but I’ve been told that I’m easy to talk to and I’m calm and I think that has helped to build trust with my little. It will be 2 years in August since we first met. I think I enjoy the meet ups as much as my little. We’ve laughed a lot and shared stories, we’ve been on dog walks, litter picking, swimming, had cake, been for dinner and bowling and she has celebrated bonfire night with my family. She’s great with my little boy and she’s had me trying to keep up with them at tag and find them in hide and seek. Being a mentor is rewarding and an opportunity to build lifelong relationships.”
How to get Involved
Getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters is straightforward. Here’s how you can take the first steps to start your mentoring journey:
1. Research the programme - visit the BBBS website to find out more about the organisation and volunteer mentor role, find answers to common questions and complete an online enquiry form
2. Attend an interview – this will be an opportunity for BBBS to get to know you and vice versa, to ensure that it is a good fit for you
3. Fill in an application form - once you’ve decided to become a mentor, fill out an application form. Following this, references will be required and a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check will be submitted to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the mentees
3. Training – complete the ‘Safeguarding Children’ online training
4. Get matched - after completing the training, you will be matched with a mentee based on geographical distance, shared interests, and preferences. Both the mentor and ‘little’ will be asked to complete an “All About Me” form providing each other with background information on themselves. Your Mentor Coordinator will arrange for a first meeting to exchange the “All About Me” forms and meet the family. The Coordinator will follow up with everyone afterwards, to ensure that all parties are happy with the match.
5. Start mentoring - once matched, you can begin your mentoring journey! Engage in activities that interest both you and your mentee, whether it’s playing sports, exploring hobbies, or simply having conversations about life over a hot chocolate!
Becoming a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters is a powerful way to change lives, including your own. The journey of mentorship is filled with opportunities for growth, connection, and impact. If you’re ready to make a difference, take the first step today.
Visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters website to learn more about how you can become a mentor to a child in West Sussex and start changing lives for the better.
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