Interested in becoming a Breakthrough mentor?
The Breakthrough Project is an activity based, one-to-one mentoring programme which is committed to making a difference in our mentees lives. One of our key objectives is to ensure that we have a team of high quality mentors to achieve this.
Breakthrough placements are unique and varied, and we always try our best to match our mentor to their mentee. This requires us to have as unique and diverse a group of mentors as we do mentees.
The type of person are we looking for
We do not require our mentors to have set qualifications, just special qualities that enable them to support their mentee to learn, grow and develop.
Breakthrough mentors will:
• Put their mentee first, at all times
• Give direction – guide and advise
• Promote change
• Be a positive role model
• Be willing to listen
• Give their mentee a chance to talk
• Be willing to share the benefits of their experience
• Provide positive reinforcement of their mentee as an individual
• Give constructive feedback - direct but sensitive
• Observe boundaries – verbal and non-verbal
• Provide the mentee with appropriate tools/techniques to develop and grow
• Provide a safe environment
• Go the extra mile!
Breakthrough mentors will be:
• Reliable
• A good communicator
• Empathetic
• Caring
• Trustworthy
• Open and honest
• Professional
• Flexible
• Innovative/creative
• Well organised – short term and long term
• Patient
• Approachable
• Resilient
How you can become a mentor
You will need to contact Breakthrough to arrange an initial chat about what the role involves. You will then be required to complete an application process, an interview and, if successful, to attend an initial training programme which also forms part of the selection process.
If you are interested and you feel you meet the criteria, fill out an expression of interest form (right) and send to breakthrough@southglos.gov.uk
The process is outlined below.
1. Application form
2. References: one from an employer, one personal
3. Interview
4. CRB and ISA (when active)
5. Observation in training and shadowing
What happens next
If you successfully complete the training, you will be asked which areas of Breakthrough you wish to work on and the relevant Breakthrough coordinator will contact you when/if a suitable mentee is referred.
Training/support is available once the placement is up and running
The Breakthrough team will always aim to provide as much support to our mentors as possible. This will include information sharing, and further training modules if/when necessary, availability for discussion and access to any resources required.
We also operate a lone working policy that mentors should adhere to.
Established mentors have constant support from the following;
• Peer support group (with 3 planned team meetings per year)
• Their Breakthrough Coordinator
• The Breakthrough training and development officer (a mentor for the mentors)
• Other members of the Breakthrough management team.
• 24 hour emergency support
Information for Mentees
What is a mentor?
A mentor is like a wise friend, who will guide you in the right direction to achieve your goals. You and your mentor will usually meet once a week and do activities that you decide between you. These could be sports or arts and crafts, sometimes with other children and sometimes on your own. You will set goals together. If you can achieve these goals you will receive awards which you will agree together.
For more information, see the leaflets to the right of this page or contact us at breakthrough@southglos.gov.uk or 01454 864616
‘Changing the world one person at a time’