Want to ignite potential in a young person's life?

Join the team!
Become a mentor.

Community-Based Mentoring

Community-based mentoring helps young people to increase their confidence, develop a greater sense of belonging, and aspire to greatness. The majority of the young people who come through the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme are looking for positive adult role models outside of their existing support structures. Did you know you and your partner can even mentor as a couple?

A young person aged 6-11 is matched with an adult volunteer based on personality, shared interests, and geographic location. Once a week, for 1-4 hours per week, for a minimum of a year, the mentor meets with the young person to spend time together – cooking, going to the beach, walking the mentor's dog, visiting the library playing sport, cooking, baking or building at the mentor's home – the possibilities are endless.

We have a range of Mentor Discount Partners across Hawke's Bay for our community-based matches. They are local businesses that provide a discounted or free rates on their products or entry fees.

Community-based mentoring through the Big Brothers Big Sisters model is proven to make a lasting, positive impact in the life of a young person.

School-Based Mentoring

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) School-Based Mentoring provides taiohi (young people ) aged 6 to 11 with the opportunity to build a positive relationship with an adult role model in a school setting.

Mentors meet with their young person for one hour each week during the school term, engaging in fun activities that encourage trust and friendship. They support students in overcoming school challenges, celebrating achievements, and developing a positive attitude toward learning. Through regular meetings, mentors become a reliable presence, helping to improve school engagement, attendance, social skills, confidence and resilence.

When a trained and vetted mentor is available in a partner school’s area, BBBS works with the school to identify a child with similar interests who could benefit from additional support. Parental consent is required for participation. Before being matched, each child completes Strong From The Start, a child-specific safety training programme.

BBBS School-Based Mentoring fosters meaningful connections, boosts confidence, and helps tamariki thrive in their educational journey.

The application process

Enquire with us.
One of our team will phone you to explain our programmes, complete a pre-application assessment and get to know you a little bit more.
We'll send you an application form, where you’ll need to provide three references and complete a police vetting form.
On receipt of your application we make a time for your in-person interview and if required, a home assessment. This takes about 1-1.5 hours and we’ll talk all about you, your interests and what you’d like to do with a mentee.
Next is Mentor Training where you attend a four-hour training course covering everything you need to know about mentoring, the match process, challenges you might face, health and safety, and more. You will also meet one of our current mentors and have the opportunity to ask them questions.
When your Police Check has come back clear and your referees have all been contacted you are then ready to be matched with a young person, we’ll get in touch to discuss a potential young person, give you time to think it over and then arrange your first meeting.
Once you’re matched you will have monthly catch-ups with your Mentor Coordinator, as well as ongoing support any time you need it as your match grows and develops.

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