Mentoring
YourMentor
YourMentor is a programme focussed on enhancing the self-perception of the people we work with. We use one-to-one sessions to address issues such as personal stability and social exclusion, support clients as they engage with community activities, and guide them in the development of achievable personal goals, which we continue to support until it is appropriate to put in place an exit strategy from the mentoring programme. The ultimate goal is to make our clients feel confident about their independence and life opportunities.
Each client is taken through an action plan with a personal development coach, assigned to them after a thorough assessment of their individual needs and consideration of how YourMentor is best placed to help. The client then sets their own time frame to complete each goal, which is recorded on paper for clients to refer to at any time. The action plan serves as an on-going 'self-contract'and is reviewed, re-written as appropriate, and signed at regular intervals, giving the client a sense of direction, responsibility and ownership of their future. The programme develops at their pace and progresses as a result of their positive input. By placing responsibility with the client, we demonstrate the importance of focus and self-motivation.
As part of the programme we encourage our clients to participate in voluntary training activities, to explore physical activities and to develop positive lifestyles.
The YourStory team believes everybody has the right to be valued and is able to make a contribution to the community. Sixty five per cent of the team has been through similar volunteering or mentoring processes. Having first hand experience provides YourStory staff with an understanding, tolerance, commitment and tenacity, which distinguishes YourStory from other organisations in the sector. Our mentoring programme has a unique personality and high success rates.