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Become a Volunteer Mentor

Register to become a Mentor

Every young person across the North East has unique potential waiting to be seen. Sometimes, all it takes is a single connection to help them realise it.

We are looking for passionate individuals from all walks of life to bridge that gap. Whether you’re a young professional eager to develop leadership skills or a retiree ready to share a lifetime of wisdom, your consistency is what matters most.

By simply showing up for one hour a week, you provide the perspective a young person needs to reimagine their future and unlock opportunities they never thought possible.

Register to become a mentor

Register to become a mentor

A success story from across the border

While we’re just beginning our journey here in the North East of England, our mentoring programme is already making a wonderful difference elsewhere. Watch how a simple hour a week has transformed a young life in Scotland. We can’t wait to see the same impact in our local schools.

All it takes is one click to get started in becoming a volunteer mentor

  1. Register through our online form (10-15 minutes)
  2. Be invited to an interview (1 hour)
  3. Apply for a DBS check and provide 2 references (30 minutes)
  4. Attend mentor training in person or online (3 hours)
  5. Complete our safeguarding/child protection module (30 minutes)
  6. Get matched with a young person

Our impact speaks for itself

  • 91%

    of mentors have found a huge sense of fulfilment in helping young people to ignite the vital spark of potential.

  • “Seeing my mentee growing in confidence and self belief. At the age of 77 years I still feel valued.”

    Mentor

  • 89%

    said mentoring helped improve active listening skills.

  • “Mentoring really does help to maintain structure and purpose once you are no longer working (Retirement is great, but it does take a bit of getting used to and you can sometimes feel as if you are lacking a bit of purpose in your week)!”

    Mentor

  • 73%

    felt it had improved their understanding of the challenges young people face today.

Register to become a mentor

Register to become a mentor

Change a young person’s life, while enriching your own

  • "My biggest misconception was that, in some way, I was supposed to provide some kind of specialised support or therapy even, which I was clearly not qualified to do. I have since realised that all that is needed is to turn up every week and to be there for the young person."

    Bill, Mentor

    Register to become a Mentor

  • "I had always enjoyed one to one work, so becoming a mentor seemed a great way to keep on supporting once I retired."

    Fiona, Mentor

    Register to become a mentor

  • "For anyone worried about being too old or too young to mentor, let me say this: it’s a fallacy. Anyone who can listen, take an interest, and be non-judgemental can be a great mentor."

    Ed, Mentor

    Register to become a Mentor

By sharing just one hour of your week during term-time, you offer a young person the stability they may have been missing. It isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about providing the ground they need to stand on.

Your hour a week is a simple yet powerful way to show up for a young person. It’s not about providing specialised support or solving every problem; it’s about the value of being there. By being a consistent, non-judgemental presence, you help create a positive space for a young person to continue to grow.

We are looking for mentors who are:

  • Good Listeners

    You know that being heard is the first step to feeling valued. You provide the listening ear and space a young person needs to find their voice.

  • Full of Life Experience and Ideas

    You offer a real-world perspective on life’s challenges. Your lived experience helps a young person see their own potential through a new lens.

  • Solution-Focused

    Help a young person overcome unique challenges and barriers as they plan their next move and stay focused on their goals.

  • Compassionate and Patient

    You understand that trust is built over time. Your consistent care strengthens the foundation they already have, opening up a clear path toward a brighter future.

The beauty of our mentoring programme is that the transformation flows both ways.

By giving an hour a week, our mentors often discover something powerful within themselves: a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper connection to the North East community, and the joy of watching a young person’s confidence grow as they find their way to a brighter future.

Make a difference to a young person’s future, and find a new purpose in your own.

Register to become a Mentor