Community-Based Mentoring is the cornerstone of the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme, characterised by the 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.
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 is 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.
College age students (year 11-13) mentor a young person at a local primary school for one hour each week. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a resource box that the mentor and young person can use, full of activities and ideas.
If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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
taiohi/young people we mentor, believe they now make better life choices as a
result of the relationship with their tuakana/mentor
They volunteer their time and skills to ensure the programme meets national standards and regulations.
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.
Drew Ewan
National CEO
drew.ewan@bbbs.nz
Chelsea Routhan
National Operations Director
Matthew Button
National Practice Manager
Cushla Duncan
National Communications Manager