We use trained volunteer mentors to provide a one-to-one mentoring service for 10-25 year olds throughout the borough of Bridgend.
We provide educational, recreational and emotional support in a confidential, non-judgemental way, mentors help young people achieve personal goals thus reducing the risk of social exclusion.
Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience and anyone from a mature aged 16 with no higher age limit can volunteer.
Apart from the feel-good experience of seeing a young person’s life affected by your input, mentors at the Bridge Mentoring Plus Scheme can gain new skills and qualifications that support career / job changes. You can also gain much needed practical experience that is expected when enrolling on certain college courses.
Full O.C.N. level 2 mentor induction training is provided, so no previous experience is necessary.
The Bridge Mentoring Plus Scheme values its volunteers and ensures that regular supervision is available in order to feel supported and appreciated.
Who we are
The scheme offers 10-25 year olds one-to-one support, using trained volunteers to enable young people to address problems they are experiencing or to build confidence and self-esteem.
Where we're based
Bridgend
When we started
We became a registered charity in February 2002
How we started
We started by working with young offenders who were still in prison as it became apparent that there was a need for some sort of support when they left prison to stop the cycle of re-offending. The Chief Probation Officer of Bridgend thought our mentoring scheme was an excellent idea.
Our work
Together we set goals relating to areas the young person has highlighted in their Action Plan. Activities are based around the young person's interests and are used to achieve the following desired outcomes:
Increased confidence / self-esteem
Greater independance / responsibility
Increased capacity to solve problems
Ability to initiate and sustain actions
Management of emotions and relationships The Bridge Mentoring Plus Scheme offers accredited training to post 16 year olds in the following areas:
Mentor Training OCN levels 1 and 2
Peer Support/Training OCN Levels and 2
Emotional Wellbeing (various topics) Levels 1 and 2
Introduction to Youth Work OCN Levels 2 and 3
Training the Trainer Level 3
Basic Counselling Skills Level 2 Counselling - Reflective Journal Level 3
Community Food and Nutrition Level 1
We also offer the following certificated courses:
- Money Matters
- Stress Relief
- We also provide many other training opportunities through our partnership with other agencies.
Many of these courses are free to our volunteers. There are also a number of courses available free to the general public under the Siaradwn Ni (Let's Talk) programme which forms part of the Suicide Intervention Strategy for Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot area and is funded by the Big Lottery for another 3 years.
Future plans
We are in the process of taking over the premises below our offices and will hopefully be working not just with young people but the families as a whole.
This scheme looks likes a fantastic idea and hopfully they will be able to help my grandson and our family.
Hi I am just wondering if you could help me with my grandson’s anger managment, he is 12 years old and was diagnosed with Asberger’s Syndrome last may.
He is having problems at school and at home, we have sent in an application to you for him to get into your Bridge mentoring plus scheme, please could you email me if you can help as we don’t know where else to turn. His name is Ryan Walker.