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The aim of this project for the BGK region is to stimulate growth and quality of youth mentoring programs, particularly those that target young people aged 15 – 19 years and/or focus on transitions as a program outcome. Currently there are few youth mentoring programs operating within the BGK region, with most tending to be delivered by a welfare or community-based organization.  The project will consist of two phases.  Phase One will build a BGK Region Youth Mentoring Network.  Phase Two will use the knowledge and experience of the group to determine the best way of establishing and growing youth mentoring programs in the region. Each phase is discussed in more detail below, as youth mentoring definitions, benefits and best practice delivery elements. 

Mentoring Definitions

“Mentoring aims to provide a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement” (Youth Mentoring Network) “Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship which involves a more experienced person helping a less experienced younger person to achieve their goals” (Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance) “Various programs and/or relationships, whether formal or informal, which aim to build the skills or wellbeing of a young person through the input and/or assistance of another person who has more skills, experience and knowledge” (‘Guide to Supporting Effective Mentoring Programs for Mentoring Young People’:12) “The formation of a helping relationship between a younger person and an unrelated, relatively older, more experienced person who can increase the capacity of the young person to connect with positive social and economic networks to improve their life chances” (‘Leading the Way: the Victorian Government’s Strategic framework on Mentoring Young People 2005-2008’) 

Benefits of Mentoring

The Victorian Office for youth has identified that all young people can potentially benefit from mentoring, in particular those who are:

•          Disengaged / at risk of disengagement from education

•          Seeking to make a transition from school to work

•          Involved in or seeking to transition from the justice system

•          Socially isolated

•          Young parents

•          Seeking to connect with cultural identity

•          Wanting to further sporting/athletic potential

•          Keen to increase career options 

This department has also identified that young people who participate in mentoring can gain many potential benefits:

•          Improvements in relationships with family and peers

•          An increase in overall communication skills

•          Reduced feelings of isolation

•          A reduction of risk behaviour

•          Enhanced social and emotional development

•          Increased options / opportunities for participation

•          Strengthened participation in educational and vocational opportunities

•          Increased resilience 

A number of benefits for the mentor are also identified:

•          Satisfaction in ‘making a difference’ and ‘giving back’ to the community

•          Opportunity to reflect on own life, goals, aspirations and interactions

•          Build new skills through training

•          Meet new people and develop new networks

•          Add variety to their work and life experiences

•          Mutually beneficial relationship increases success – “if you help someone up the hill, you get closer to the top yourself” 

The community also benefits when young people and mentors have the opportunity to participate in mentoring programs:

•          Builds volunteering capacity

•          Increases community connectedness

•          Increases youth participation in the community

•          Enhances youth capacity to become active and engaged members of society

•          Increases awareness of youth issues

•          Can assist in building collaborative partnerships 

Changes in families, work demands and communities have left many young people without the adult supports that were traditionally available – mentoring is one way of minimising the negative outcomes associated with these changes. Australian and international research has shown that mentoring can have enormous benefits for young people, the mentors and the community. 

Types and Models of Youth Mentoring

Planned or formal youth mentoring can take several forms:

•          Traditional mentoring – one adult to one young person

•          Group mentoring – one adult working with a small number

•          Team mentoring – several adults working with small groups

•          Peer mentoring – youth mentoring other youth

•          E-mentoring – mentoring via email and the internet 

Mentoring can take place in a wide range of settings:

•          Community based mentoring

•          School based mentoring

•          Faith based mentoring

•          Business mentoring

•          Virtual mentoring 

Good Practice – Benchmarks and Guidelines

The Victorian Government has identified the following as key characteristics of effective mentoring:

•          Clear vision, purpose and values

•          Collaboration with relevant agencies / schools / community groups

•          Policies and procedures

•          Screening of mentors

•          Orientation and training

•          Matching process

•          Ongoing support and supervision

•          Selection of mentors

•          Length of match

•          Managed closure

•          Evaluation process 

Phase One

Phase One commenced in September 2007, with the first meeting of the BGK Region Youth Mentoring Network.  This meeting was attended by approx. 15 people (TAFE, local council, police, community agencies), with the majority of attendees not currently delivering a youth mentoring program but exploring the possibility or looking to learn more.  A network statement of purpose was agreed to at this meeting: “The BGK Youth Mentoring Network aims to influence the development of youth mentoring, foster a community of good mentoring practice by providing a regional hub for practice, planning and professional development, and raise the profile of youth mentoring in the community.” The network will serve as a BGK LLEN facilitated space for current and potential practitioners of youth mentoring programs to obtain professional development, networking with peers, planning for the development of programs and fostering best practice. Initial discussions with the Inner Eastern LLEN have taken place regarding the development of a collaborative Youth Mentoring Network comprised of stakeholders of both LLENs. 

Phase Two

As the network develops and becomes a group looking to advance individual programs and community growth objectives, we will collaboratively develop strategies aimed at increasing youth mentoring programs in the region.  It is worth noting that the BGK LLEN originally planned for the development of a centralized model of support that would provide some back-end (eg. Marketing, evaluation etc) and front-end (eg. Mentor training) assistance to organizations currently delivering or planning on delivering youth mentoring programs.  However, through liaison with the Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance, learning more about the youth mentoring landscape in our region and limited opportunities for funding of this model, it has been decided to put this on hold and explore other mechanisms designed to increase uptake in mentoring programs.