We are passionate about our region’s tamariki and believe every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

REFERRING YOUR YOUNG PERSON IN NELSON-TASMAN

Our mentoring programme provides a safe and supportive space for young people to foster a sense of belonging and self-worth, and the opportunity to unlock their potential; creating more fulfilled and connected tamariki and communities. The majority of the young people who come through the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme are looking for positive adult role models outside of their existing support structures.

Young people aged 6 - 12 are matched with an adult volunteer based on personality, shared interests, location and other factors that will help the match be successful. Once a week, for a minimum of a year, the mentor meets with the young person to spend time together – it could be baking, crafts, going to the beach, playing sport – the possibilities are endless.

WHO WILL BE MENTORING MY CHILD?

Our volunteers generously offer their time for a period of 1 year. They come from all walks of life and must be over 18. The safety of your tamariki is extremely important to us. All our volunteer mentors are thoroughly screened with background screening including reference checks, police checks and training before being matched with a young person.

Every relationship is closely monitored and supported by a professionally trained Coordinator (Kairuruku).

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS?

Mentoring through the Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to make a lasting, positive impact in the life of a young person.

A study for Big Brothers Big Sisters found that kids matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister:

✓ are more confident

✓ are more likely to avoid negative social behaviours

✓ do better in school

✓ get along better with their family and friends

✓ feel better about themselves

HOW DO I LET YOU KNOW ABOUT MY CHILD?

If your child meets our criteria, then parents/ caregivers can submit a referral to let us know more. One of our team will give you a call to discuss the referral with you, however, depending on our volumes of referrals, this can take up to a couple of months.

If you are unsure that your young person meets our criteria or are unsure of the process, then please get in touch and the team will happily help you.

MORE INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR A YOUNG PERSON TO HAVE A BBBS MENTOR:

please note criteria may differ slightly between regions

1

YOU ARE THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE YOUNG PERSON

2

YOUR YOUNG PERSON IS AGED 6-12 YEARS OF AGE

3

LIVES IN THE NELSON-TASMAN OR GOLDEN BAY AREA

4

IS IN NEED OF AN ADDITIONAL SUPPORTIVE, CONSISTENT, ADULT ROLE MODEL

5

ABLE TO MAKE WEEKLY OUTINGS WITH A MENTOR

6

HAS A PARENT/CAREGIVER WHO WILL SUPPORT THE MENTORING AND WILL ENSURE THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR REGULAR CONTACT WITH PROGRAMME STAFF

7

WE ARE NOT ABLE TO TAKE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH COMPLEX BEHAVIOURAL OR MANY HEALTH DIAGNOSES AS OUR MENTORS ARE VOLUNTEERS AND NOT TRAINED IN THIS AREA OF NEEDS, HOWEVER, CALL US IF YOU ARE UNSURE.

REFER YOUR YOUNG PERSON

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.