TACT Connect Mentoring
TACT Connect is excited to be launching a bespoke mentoring programme for care-experienced young people, which has been made possible thanks The Big Lottery Fund.
Young people tell us that when they are living away with another family, they don’t always feel that they have someone to talk to, particularly someone who shares similar experiences and knows what they are going through.
Our new mentoring scheme aims to change this by connecting them with a care-experienced mentor who has been there and knows what it is like to make the transition to adult life. The mentor and mentee will then have the opportunity to slowly develop a relationship based on mutual trust and respect.
How does it work?
We know that meeting new people can be hard, so we start slowly and ensure that the mentee is in the driving seat EVERY step of the way!
Step one – The group meet
We’ll invite mentees to join a Teams hangout, where our Mentor Worker will lead some fun-filled activities and find out what each person want to get out of the mentoring experience.
Step two – Introduction to the mentors
When the group is ready, we’ll then invite our mentors to come and join us at one of our hangouts. This will be very informal and a chance for everyone to get to know each other in a group context through fun games and activities.
These groups will continue on a regular basis, to help individuals to discover likes, dislikes and mutual interests and hopefully start to create natural connections. When a mentee feels comfortable that a connection is forming, the Connect team will help to arrange the next step!
Step three – One-to-one meetings
This is where the mentee and mentor meet on a one-to-one basis for the first time. It might start off with a five-minute chat in a breakout room, building up to meeting regularly either in real-life or online.
Every mentoring relationship is different based on the ambitions and availabilities of both people involved. We’ll help work out an agreement that works for both and then take a step back, but always being on hand to help if needed.
Who are the mentors?
Mentors come in all shapes and sizes but most importantly they are people who have care experience. They are committed volunteers who kindly offer their experiences and perspectives in the hope that it can be of help to others.
All mentors are fully trained, and DBS checked and receive on-going support from the Programme Team to ensure they are effective in their role as mentors.
Who can take part?
Young people must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the mentoring programme:
To be eligible, you must be:
- Aged 15 to 18
- Interested in being supported to set and achieve goals
- Motivated to identify and achieve your goals
- Committed to the programme and your future mentor
- Willing to participate in group and one-to-one activities
How to get involved
If you meet the criteria above and would like to get involved (or if you know someone who would) or if you have any questions (big or small) all you have to do is get in touch with the TACT Connect Team.
Email [email protected] or call 020 8695 8107.
You can also speak to your foster carer or a member of the TACT team and ask if they will get in touch for you.
Once we know you’re interested, we’ll arrange a “getting to know you call”. Then we connect you with a hangout group and take the first steps towards helping you choose your perfect mentor.