1:30pm Sunday 1st April 2012
More men are needed for a charity mentoring young people.
Kids Company is urgently searching for more south London men to volunteer as mentors.
The charity, founded in 1996 by Camila Batmangehlidjh, provides help to children and young people across London.
More than 2,000 children have benefitted from the mentor services in some of London’s most deprived areas.
Jurne Azubiah, the Kids Company mentor programme manager, said: ““We need more men as mentors from all over London but especially South London to become part of Kids Company.
““We really value our mentors and we often struggle to find male mentors from the black, Asian and other ethnic minorities to volunteer for mentor work with children. “Kids Company can provide opportunities for this.
“We welcome people with a special interest which they can share with the children. “For example, we have creative artists, musicians, sportsmen as well as parents and members of local communities mentoring for us.”
One such mentor is Simon, a 25-year-old Nigerian-born investment adviser.
He said: “My mentee Kal, 12, lives with his mother and three sisters at a secret address, as they had to flee their violent father.
“I felt privileged to be a positive black male role model to Kal during this difficult period. Kal and I were matched up because of our interest in football, R ’n’ B and hip-hop.”
Mentors will be able to help young to achieve goals, build confidence, increase self-esteem and have some fun.
Kids Company mentoring aims to provide the young person with a meaningful adult relationship by encouraging and supporting them through the development of a strong personal bond.
The mentor will also provide guidance based on their own personal experiences.
Kids Company provides full training and support.
A mentor will meet the young person once a week, and the commitment is for a minimum of a year.
Mentors need to be over 18- years-old. All mentors go through an induction, child protection training and ongoing support.
To volunteer as a mentor for Kids Company, email volunteer@kidsco.org.uk or phone Jurne on 020 7202 2700 extension 245.
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