The Prince’s Trust are on the hunt for volunteer Talent Match Mentors in Medway and Tracey is calling for action from local residents in support of the Talent Match drive! As part of her continued work to support the Prince’s Trust Charity Tracey is asking all local residents who can spare the time to volunteer and become a mentor to a young person in a bid to help them gain employment.

Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. They support 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment through underachieving in education. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training, and they could not achieve this without the valued support of their 6000 volunteers. Many of the young people that they support are overcoming difficulties such as a record of offending, a life spent in care, long-term unemployment, having no qualifications, poor basic skills or little confidence. Volunteering with The Prince’s Trust can therefore be highly rewarding and challenging.

Talent Match is a £100 million Big Lottery Fund investment project to help long-term unemployed young people, aged 18-24, to gain employment across England. Its aim is to ensure that the skills and experience of the voluntary and community sector can be used to help tackle youth unemployment and it has been designed by young people, for young people. Talent Match, in partnership with voluntary, public and private sector organisations and young people panels, will deliver local employment solutions in response to local needs. In particular, it will work closely with local businesses to develop opportunities for young people to access jobs. More information about the project can be found at www.princes-trust.org.uk/about_the_trust/talent_match/talent_match_south_east

Tracey said “This is a hugely influential initiative which gives volunteers a real opportunity to give back to their communities by positively influencing the lives of young people who need it most. What better gift than to share our time and our talents with someone who could use them to change their life. I am extremely proud to support this initative and call on all who can to spare the time to get involved.”

As a Talent Match Mentor you’ll make a real difference to the lives of young people by providing them with one-to-one support, guidance, encouragement and inspiration.

Could you use your knowledge, skills and experiences to support and empower young people to fulfil their aspirations?

This role will involve:

 

•                 Meeting on a regular basis with a young person from The Prince’s Trust target groups to help them to identify goals and work towards them

 

•                 Providing the young person with focus and support to move into education, employment, training or volunteering

 

•                 Providing guidance on employability and job search issues, including supporting with CV writing, completing application forms and job interview preparation

 

•                 Providing the young person with motivation and encouragement when they are in work or training

 

•                 Where necessary, supporting them with other issues such as housing, benefits or childcare by signposting them to other services and sources of support, both within The Prince’s Trust and externally

 

How much time do I need to give?

As a Talent Match Mentor, you’ll ideally commit to support The Prince’s Trust for around four to six hours per month. You will mentor each young person for up to six months. Meeting times can be flexible.

 

What skills do I need?

You don’t need to have experience of mentoring to volunteer in this role, but ideally you should be able to demonstrate:

 

•                 understanding of the issues facing The Prince’s Trust target groups

 

•                 an ability to relate to and empathise with young people

 

•                 excellent interpersonal and communication skills, especially listening skills

 

•                 a non-judgemental, patient, positive and supportive attitude

 

•                 reliability

 

•                 understanding or experience of job searching, CV writing and interview preparation

 

•                 understanding of the importance of maintaining professional boundaries in a mentoring relationship

 

•                 willingness to undergo a DBS check (or equivalent in Scotland or Northern Ireland)

 

How do I apply?

 

Complete the volunteer application form, which can be found on their website, www.princestrust.org.uk/volunteer or call 0800 842 842 to request a paper copy of the form. All successful applicants will be expected to attend an interview and training before being appointed.

 

Additionally if you are or you know of any young people that may benefit from additional employment support from a dedicated 1:1 mentor then please check out their website for more information here! When talking about what they want to achieve for the young people they support The Prince’s Trust said “Everyone has a talent; even if they haven’t discovered it yet. Let us help you discover your talent.”  

For more information on the role and the project please see the PDFs below.