A mentor can support you to reach your unique potential and provide help during challenging times. A mentor is a more experienced friend and role model who is there to help and encourage you academically, socially and personally.
What we do
Growing up in New Zealand can be awesome... but at times it can also be really challenging. We recognise it’s not always easy for our young people today. They face pressures and challenges that simply didn’t exist a generation ago. Our fast-paced society is more difficult to navigate than ever before, add to that increasing pressures on everyday family/whānau life, and this can add up to worry, uncertainty and challenge.
Bays Youth mentors come alongside young people, and encourage and support them to develop the skills, confidence, knowledge and networks they need to successfully address challenges and build goals for their future.
One-on-One: Young people typically meet with their mentor for one hour a week over an eight week period. Sessions are catered to the young person and can include a range of activities such as going for walks, doing sports, grabbing a coffee or working on a specific task such as building a CV.
Groupwork: Bays Youth also runs life skills groups in local schools. The sessions cover topics like self-esteem, managing emotions, making healthy choices, and healthy relationships. As well as these groups our youth workers also offer specific workshops on a range of topics including planning for the future, drugs and alcohol early intervention and learning new skills.
Outcomes
Our work focuses on supporting young people to:
- increase resilience and wellbeing,
- learn life skills,
- build connections with others in the community, and
- have fun!
Click on the link below to make a referral. We will respond within 2 working days.
Testimonials
“It really helped me with my self esteem. I am happy and more confident than I was before this programme. It also helped me become stronger and able to bounce back.”
“I have been getting in less trouble at school having someone to hang and talk to. Good way to get it out before I get in trouble… My mentor helped me settle down a bit in class, got better relationships with my teachers now.”
“I have seen the evidence for the efficacy of the work they are doing not only in reduced referrals to our service, but also in the reduction in recidivism for the youth who attend their programme.”
Manager, Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children.