Big Brothers Big Sisters of Christchurch
Potential lives within every young person. Big Brothers Big Sisters supports young people to reach their full potential, through strong positive relationships that express care, challenge growth, share power, and expand possibilities.
Our mentors help ignite youth potential.
OUR PROGRAMMES
Community-Based Mentoring
Community-Based Mentoring is the cornerstone of the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme, characterised by one-on-one relationship between a volunteer mentor (the "Big") and a young person (the "Little"). Community-Based Mentoring typically occurs outside of school hours, often after school or on weekends and it focuses on providing individual attention to the young person.
Volunteers who participate in Community-Based Mentoring make a commitment to spend approximately 1-2 hours per week, and for a minimum of a year, with their mentees. This dedication is crucial for building trust and providing the stability and support that young people need.
We currently aren't able to take child referrals in Christchurch, as we are seeking more mentors to match children already waiting. Please check back later for updates.
School-Based Mentoring
School-based mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters is another approach to fostering positive relationships between mentors and young people, but with a focus on providing support within the school environment, during school hours and for one hour a week.
Many of our mentors spend time with their young person in the school library, staff room, kitchen or playground, depending on the school and the weather! Typically, this the same time and day each week. Most schools prefer it to be either late morning or in the afternoon so that the young person doesn't miss core subjects which are done first thing in the morning.
Organisations Sponsoring a Tuakana
Organisations sponsoring staff to mentor
In Christchurch we have a number of awesome community minded organisations who support employees to mentor during work time. These include Showbiz Christchurch, Kāinga Ora, Christchurch Top 10 Holiday Park, Immigration New Zealand.
Are you interested in sponsoring your staff to be a mentor?
Contact Faye on the links below to find out
Social Media and Communications
Kindly visit our social media platform for the latest updates and events.
Hear some match stories from around the country
Christchurch BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS TEAM
The Big Brothers Big Sisters team work together to ensure our Mentors and Mentees feel supported and enjoy their mentoring journey.
We pride ourselves in our experience in making great matches that are long lasting and that significantly impact young lives.
Quality youth mentoring, that works
Through quality training, Big Brothers Big Sisters equips Mentors with the ability to ignite potential and build resilience in young people all over Aotearoa New Zealand.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Zealand is part of the world’s largest volunteer mentoring network. We make professionally supervised mentoring matches between adults and young people (aged approx. six to twelve) throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Studies show that 98% of the youth we mentor believe they now make better life choices as a result of the relationship with their ‘Tuakana’ (mentor)
THE Christchurch Board members
Our governance board is here to support the team on the ground.
They volunteer their time and skills to ensure the programme meets national standards and regulations.
OUR CHRISTCHURCH DEFENDERS OF POTENTIAL
Tuakana - Teina
Mā te tuakana te teina e tōtika, mā te teina te tuakana e tōtika
From the older the younger will learn, from the younger the older will learn.
Where the older has responsibilities to the younger, so does the younger to the older.
