Flemington   Kensington   Community   Mentoring   Program

Flemington Kensington Mentor Group

The Flemington Kensington Community Mentoring Programme is an initiative of local artists and other residents and workers in collaboration with The Flemington Kensington News.

We share a belief that young people benefit from having a one-on-one relationship with someone who is committed to supporting them in the pursuit of their goals. Flemington Neighbourhood House auspices the program.

Most young people would benefit from the program. We aim to reach both young people at risk and those in more stable situations. We liaise with local schools, neighbourhood houses, and agencies and services working with young people at risk The mentor partnerships are negotiated on the basis of the applications and the interviews that result from those applications.

While some of the young people involved are long-term residents who attend the local schools, the program has responded over the years to an increased need to support young refugees – most of whom are from Africa or the Middle East – who are new to the community. These people have a great need for help in settling into Australia, fitting into school and generally building a new life in a new country. This program provides adult role models to young people between 15 and 25 years of age

Being a mentor

Mentors are local residents who have interests they feel they can share with a young person and are willing to spend time on a regular basis getting to know the person they are mentoring. All mentors are required to have a Police Records Check.

Mentors are volunteers who are motivated by wanting to share knowledge and developing a friendship with their partner. They have a genuine interest in the personal development of young people and a willingness to spend several hours every week or fortnight with the young person they are working with. They are also required to attend a monthly peer support meeting at the Flemington Neighborhood House.

It is important that mentors also feel rewarded by the program. Clear goals for each partnership allow mentors to gauge their progress and build on their new relationship. The mentor’s partner is also made aware of their responsibilities, including their commitment to their mentors and meeting their goals.

The Flemington Kensington Community Mentoring Program

Program goals

The aims of the mentor program are to provide opportunities for young people to achieve personal goals in a supportive environment. Adult role models help by passing on knowledge or skills to assist a young person in meeting their goals. Its purposes include:

- Increasing the life chances for at-risk / disadvantaged young people.

- Providing practical and emotional support and guidance.

- Helping a young person settle into the local community, by providing a support structure while they find their feet.

- Being a ‘friendly face’ who can answer questions.

- Facilitating links within the community (people, services and experiences).

- Providing practical guidance in everyday activities, such as learning English, using public transport, homework, understanding local issues, dealing with bureaucracy etc..