Youth mentors build bridges

A ‘Big Brothers, Big Sisters’ (BBBS) youth mentoring programme now underway in Taranaki, is matching young with old in a bid to provide some positive, stable and independent role models.

The programme has been operating in other parts of New Zealand for a number of years, and Police have played a key role in its establishment and operation.

“The mentoring programme works because it’s fun,” says New Plymouth Youth Aid Officer and BBBS Programme Manager, Senior Constable Paul Lampe.

“The key is the young person knows that the [older] person accepts them for who they are. They don’t have to put on a mask and try to be someone else.’’

Paul says the adult gets as much out of the relationship as the young person by knowing their support and attention is appreciated. “They’re almost learning from each other.’’

There are seven pairs in Taranaki with another eight matches planned to be in place in six weeks time.

Run by a Trust, BBBS Taranaki accepts referrals from various agencies and directly from families. Some come from solo-parent families.

The young people involved are aged between seven and 17 but, in Taranaki, organisers are particularly targeting those aged seven to 12.

“When any child or young person is isolated from positive adult mentors, their peer group becomes their key influence,” says Paul.

“Without an older person for stability, they’re like a ship without a rudder.”

Lack of a positive role model in a young person’s life or background is a common theme among youth offenders.

But BBBS Taranaki isn’t just for at-risk youth. It’s for any child the programme organisers think deserves or requires a mentor.

“We think it’s a good age for kids to accept someone else coming into their lives, a good age for them to open up and bond with the adult,’’ says Paul.

It also gives the relationship a period of time before the young person hits the teenage years and has other pressures in their lives.

“So while they are going through that turbulent teenage time, they can have someone rock solid, independent from the family, who they can seek advice from.’’

Paul says the adult isn’t there to discipline or lecture the young person. And they’re not to counsel or try to change the child’s behaviour.

“They are just there to be a stable support. We want ordinary, everyday adults. We say to them, can you spare an hour a week, can you commit to a year and do you want to have fun?’’

“We don’t want to set the children up with someone who is going to pull out after six months. Research shows the young person could potentially be worse off than our not intervening at all. So we’re really mindful that the commitment is for a year.’’

The big brothers and big sisters don’t have to come up with something fantastic every week. Fishing, flying a kite, visiting the aquatic centre, even gardening are all acceptable options.

BBBS has bought a kite and fishing rods to keep costs down for the volunteers.

All volunteers are screened and vetted by Police. Three nominated referees are also consulted. Volunteers receive training covering risk management, different ideas on activities and policies and procedures.

The relationship officially ends when the young person turns 17.

Support for the BBBS Programme has come from corporate sponsor Australian Worldwide Exploration (AWE) – operators of the Tui oil field off the Taranaki coast.

NZ Country Manager, Dennis Washer, says AWE’s fundamental aim is to leave any local community in better shape after they have conducted their operations.

“We believe this project can benefit young people throughout Taranaki, helping both the young people and their families. AWE is committed to the Taranaki community and we’re encouraging our staff and business partners to get involved in this exciting project,” says Dennis.

AWE’s support has allowed BBBS to purchase a vehicle and helps with the programme’s running costs.

A case manager has just been employed in New Plymouth, as has a part-time case manager in Stratford.

BBBS also runs in Nelson (where there are between 60 - 70 matches), Hamilton, Christchurch, Greymouth, Westport, North Canterbury, Hokitika, Whakatāne, Napier and Dannevirke.