volunteer training and Peer mentor and support training TAYSIDE COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL volunteer training and Peer mentor and support training

TCA has been in existence for over 40 years and has been developing and delivering mentoring services for 10 years The organisation can evidence effective engagement and delivery of positive outcomes for women offenders, persistent male offenders and young people outcomes include engagement with substance use treatment services; engagement with training/ education programmes; moving into employment; improved social skills; engagement with positive leisure activities; increased confidence and self esteem. TCA currently offer a range of mentoring services for clients aged 8 years upwards.

Mentoring Services Across Tayside DUNDEE WOMEN ONLY MENTORING (16+) Mentoring for Men (16-25yrs) Plusone Mentoring (8 -14 yrs)    Link Up Mentoring (14-18yrs)   PERTH and KINROSS Perth 16+ Mentoring (16+yrs) OWLS Mentoring Women Only Mentoring (16+yrs) Mentoring for Men (16-25yrs) ANGUS Women Only Mentoring A Tayside wide development for TCA is  delivering the Mentoring element for Tayside Intensive Support Service (TISS). Offenders are offered mentoring on a voluntary basis pre court disposal

Reduce Re-0ffending Change Fund Volunteer Mentor Programme Secured funding 2012 Partnership with CATH Our services are aimed at individuals who have substance misuse issues, offending backgrounds, are homeless or socially isolated. Train volunteers to mentor/befriender standard Offer one-one support to clients Aim – to reduce re-offending and support positive change

The Training Programme Day One Day Two Mentor/befriending training Stages in mentoring and befriending Boundaries Building relationships/rapport with clients Communication & Listening skills Awareness sessions: Offending behaviour Homelessness Drug/alcohol After the training Volunteers are given regular support and supervision form volunteer co-ordinator and regular meetings are set up with both client and volunteer to make sure the match is going to plan and the client feels comfortable and supported to achieve his/her goals.

It was rewarding, fun and really enjoyable Having a volunteer mentor helped me set and achieve goals, I got to try loads of new things and really enjoyed my time with my mentor I really enjoyed working with my volunteer mentor, it filled up my time and let me try new things Comments from Mentee’s and Mentors Being a volunteer mentor was a very rewarding experience It was rewarding, fun and really enjoyable

Peer Mentor & Support Training The SQA-accredited award in Peer mentoring and Support has been designed to help participants develop the knowledge and skills they need in order to provide support to people. Key features of the course: Personal development Confidence building Reflecting on mentoring practice Different perspective

What is a peer mentor? A peer mentor is someone who provides additional support to another person Goal ordinated way of working with people Listening and positively supporting others Having been in a similar situation peer mentors can draw on their experiences to offer their support to others The relationship is based on mutual trust, understanding and determination to reach goals

The units 7 units run over 12-13 weeks (one full day a week) Homework to be completed each week Reflections based on what was covered that day Candidates are supported throughout the course Candidates encouraged to think about what they want to do after the course has been completed. Some candidates want to volunteer, others want to go to college, some may just be wanting to complete the course to increase their confidence. It is THEIR choice. Establish a positive relationship with individuals Respect and support individuals in order to maintain their safety and wellbeing Support individuals to prepare and develop an action plan in order to achieve their goals Support individuals to implement and review their action plan Interact with individuals using a range of different telecommunications Support individuals to identify and access other appropriate services Provide appropriate additional support to individuals who are distressed.

My personal experience of delivering the course It is a journey for the candidates involved It completely strips mentoring back and takes candidates through the skills step by step. It encourages candidates to reflect on their own self especially in regards to their attitudes, beliefs values and boundaries. Candidates are asked not just to see their strengths but also to develop on their weaknesses. They compete a reflection after each session explaining what they have learned in that particular session, what they felt was good/bad and how they will apply these skills to their own life and a mentoring relationship. This course is all about self-awareness and empowerment and supporting people to see and reach their potential. Through facilitated discussion, role play, exercises and case studies, the programme gives potential peer mentors the opportunity to practise their mentoring skills, in addition to providing them with the information, knowledge and tools to perform their role effectively and safely. As a trainer you are supported to deliver the course the Glasgow Mentoring Network’s trainers pack is brilliant and gives you step by step guides of each session but also allows you to be creative and develop each session to suit your group.

Comments from peer mentors It was nice to have someone to believe that I could actually complete something. I loved the course and cant wait for what’s next I found the mentoring course very beneficial in my life and was a turning point in how I go about my life now’. Comments from peer mentors The chance to study Peer Mentoring has fascinated and excited me greatly and as a consequence has resulted in me studying with commitment. I have more confidence, compassion for other and became a better communicator and listener

What are some of our peer mentors doing now? Danni Shadowing women only Mentors, TCA and Mentoring Service promotion. Volunteering in reception to meet and greet clients. Meeting TISS non engagers to explore reasons for not engaging. Jean Co facilitating Women Only Zone group Ann Service promotion at Health Centre, TAPS Community Detox Margaret Co facilitating Women Only Zone and Women Only Mentoring groups. Is TCA’s key contact with Light on the Path in Glasgow. Val Co facilitating Women Only Zone and Women Only Mentoring groups. Befriending Adult Service client. Service promotion at Health Centre, TAPS Community Detox Eric Befriending with Adult Service clients. Service promotion at Health Centre, TAPS Community Detox Kym Attending mindfulness training and co facilitating WOM group Mandy Wants to help set up Perth support group and look at further education

Challenges with peer mentoring: A challenge with peer mentoring is the number of drop-outs you have after the pre- unit and throughout the course which can be very disruptive to your group. However, a pilot programme that was conducted in Dundee shows that this course works better which a much more diverse client group and having individuals from every walk of life

What's next?... Tca plan to offer The next session of peer mentoring to clients from all of tca services Plus we intend to open this up to other cjs clients that could benefit This is to Reinforce diversity in the group as this worked very well in the pilot project in Dundee. This means not all clients will come from the same projects Dundee has a new peer mentor co-ordinator through the Adp and he will be co- facilitating the training alongside a TCA member of staff

PEER MENTORS VIDEO CLIP https://vimeo.com/128813654

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