MEMBER NEWS: The Bridges Project are Recruiting for Mentors

Listening Peers Service

Outline and service criteria:

This service is for young people aged between 13 and 25 who have been affected by the substance misuse of others. This is applicable for both Mentees and Mentors
It is expected that the mentors have also accessed Bridges services and the Coordinator can also act as a mentor to young people if required, to assist a mentor or to provide direct mentoring support.
The mentor and mentee can also plan and undertake activities such as going to the cinema or any other social activity agreed by the Coordinator with the expense of this covered by the funders of the project.

Listening Peers Mentors:

Mentors should have direct lived experience of the substance misuse of others in order to relate to the mentee.
Liaising with the Listening Peers Coordinator, mentors will provide direct support to young mentees to enable them to cope with their life situation, assist them to deal with stigma and or discrimination or simply to provide then with personal interaction and respite.
The coordinator and mentor will also work closely to match the most appropriate mentor to mentee along with exploring and assisting with any need to access other relevant services for the mentee.
The mentors will also be required to meet on a pre-arranged basis to share best practice, engage in peer support and to design a guide to how the service has functioned and this will eventually be presented to the funders of this project.
Mentors will also receive ongoing supervision and support but they will also review the development of the relationship on an ongoing basis.

Listening Peers Mentees:

Mentees will work directly with the mentor to establish what support they require or simply to engage in activities outlined in the criteria.
Mentees will also review the relationship they have established with the mentor allowing them with the coordinator to reflect and assess any further needs.
Mentees can also at any given time request another mentor if they feel this is applicable.