Off The Record
Peer Mentoring and Support Project

Funded by The Big Lottery for three years, the peer mentoring project is about young people supporting other young people with issues that are important to them. Young people gain knowledge and skills through an extensive but informal and fun training programme, delivered by a multi-agency team of workers. Peer research highlighted the need for additional support for young people and showed that if young people had someone of a similar age and background to talk to they were less likely to feel intimidated or embarrassed.

How it works
• We train young people for 15 weeks in communication skills, issue based skills, mentoring, counselling and mediation skills
• Young people mentor other young people providing information and support
• Adult mentors support the Peer Mentors with regular monthly supervisions.

What Children and Young People get as mentors
• Accredited training
• Personal and skill development
• Confidence and self esteem
• Recognition
• Opportunity to participate in a positive way within their area
• Opportunity to support other young people.
• FUN!

What Children and Young People get as ‘mentees’
• Someone to talk to who’ll listen, provide information and support them
• A friendly face who is on the same “wavelength”
• Reliability
• A safe and confidential place.

What adults get
• A project to refer young people who would benefit from extra support
• Confidence that the mentors are equipped to deal with issues effectively
• As adult mentors – the opportunity to learn new skills as supervisors.

Outcomes
• Peer Support is increased with young people feeling listened to and supported
• Workers have a project to which they can signpost young people
• Positive example of work in the community by young people for young people
• Reduction in referrals to higher support services that can lead to stigmatisation, e.g. mental health services.