Mentor (Supporting Young People with Autism or a Learning Disability in Wigan)

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. **Barnardo’s Mentors** work with young people and adults on a 1:1 basis, offering practical assistance and emotional support, to build their self-confidence, coping mechanisms and positive relationships. The work could be focused on a particular need, such as gaining employment or accessing training, or it could be more focused around life skills and independent living. We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in people’s lives, with a friendly and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people and adults, empowering them to take steps towards improving their situation and achieving their goals. The Greater Manchester Keyworker Team works across all Greater Manchester, supporting young people with autism and/or a learning disability. These young people are or have been at risk of going into an inpatient setting due to their mental health. The service provides each family with a Keyworker, who creates a crucial care package to support the individual away from high risk and moving towards stability. As a volunteer, you will be introduced as a young person begins the work of re-integrating themselves into their community, education, and preferred activities. Activities that you may be required to do can vary from support with travel, attending social events/clubs/activities, accessing a young persons special interest, and emotional support and guidance. You will also need to navigate our Vol 1 E-Platform to record your hours. We are ideally looking for volunteers who are available for a minimum of 4-6 hours a month, over a minimum period of 12 months - the specifics of this will vary from family to family and can be discussed at interview. Plus, additional time for training and supervision. All our young people have a diagnosis of autism, and/or a learning disability. As a service, we champion the diverse range of communication styles, behaviour presentations and sensory needs that diagnosis brings. Therefore, as a volunteer you will be provided with training to prepare you to recognise and adapt your support style to meet these needs. This is a great opportunity to learn a lot about neurodiversity, through robust training and direct experience. You will need to join us with an open heart and mind.
Could you help them build positive relationships and access resources, groups and activities, and to support them to face their challenges? Are you great at listening to children and young people in a non-judgemental way?- Tasks: Working with children, young people or families on an individual basis, to help them achieve the desired outcomes of their plan.

Building positive relationships with children and young people by meeting with them regularly on a one-to-one basis.

Encouraging children and young people to access resources, groups and activities within their local community, such as after school activities, youth groups, and sports clubs.

Accompanying children and young people to attend meetings or attending on their behalf.

Supporting children to have their voices heard on decisions that affect them.

Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.

Participating fully in training and supervision.

Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours- Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.

Approachable and welcoming.

The ability to empathise with children, who may be facing difficult times in their lives.

Awareness of factors impacting on and issues facing young people (e.g. Disadvantage, poverty, disabilities, health conditions including mental health).

Being passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people and families.- Benefits: Full induction and training.

Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.

Regular supervision and support.

Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.

Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.

Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.