Mentor for Young Refugees and Asylum-Seekers

We are looking for new volunteers to join our mentoring programmes, supporting young people from refugee backgrounds to gain work experience and employability skills. Mentors support our young people to gain work experience at one of our weekend market stalls. They also lead weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions focussed on developing their mentee’s employability skills, helping them to think about their plans for the future (career and otherwise) and building social connections in their local community. Our volunteer mentors are matched with a participant on our programmes.

Two Options

Two Month Risers Programme - Runs over seven weeks and involves spending two hours at the market with your mentee each weekend, whilst they do work experience, as well as doing one-to-one mentoring sessions after the market sessions.

Six Month Breadwinners Programme - You do not need to spend time with your mentee at the market, but need to agree a regular time to meet, (recommended every fortnight). 

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Benefits

• Be part of the growing Breadwinners and mentor community, which pushes for improved well-being for refugees and people seeking asylum.
• Full training provided and support available from core staff throughout the programme.
• Get experience mentoring and support a young person to develop their skills and plan their next steps.
• Join us for fun community activities, get to know other mentors, young people and staff.

This is a great opportunity be part of a fun and friendly community and to join the motivated and inspiring Breadwinners team. If you're looking for a challenging but rewarding role where you have the opportunity to inspire and guide a young person, we would love to hear from you. 

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Practical Considerations

• Mentoring sessions will take place either online or in-person in Brighton. You need to arrange to meet your mentee and travel to meet them in a public place which suits you both, such as a cafe, library, park or museum. 
• On the Risers Programme - you would normally have the same 2 hour market slot every weekend, between 10am and 3.30pm, Saturday or Sunday.
• All markets are in central Brighton, easily accessible by public transport and on foot. Parking is available nearby each market.
• Most mentoring sessions take place immediately after the market session, but can be flexible.
• You would be expected to keep in touch with your mentee during the week via phone call or text to make sure they know where and when to go to the market and mentoring sessions.

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Support Disabled

Please contact us to discuss any access needs you may have and how we can best support you to volunteer with us.

What skills do I need?

We’re looking for motivated individuals who feel they can act as an employment mentor to a young person who hasn't had any work experience in the UK. You don’t need any special qualifications or requirements, just general knowledge of working in the UK and a passion for supporting young people. 

What's involved in our mentoring?

• A full induction which includes mentoring skills and safeguarding training.
• Support a young person to identify and work towards their goals, to write a CV, learn about cover 
• Regular community socials and additional coaching workshops.