OUSU Big Brother/Sister Scheme

The Project

There are around 60,000 young people in care: 4,500 will leave with no educational qualifications and only 1 in 100 will go on to University.

OUSU, in conjunction with Oxfordshire County Council is piloting a mentoring programme. This scheme is designed to raise the educational and life aspirations of young people in care by engaging them in team building and motivational activities, and developing key life and learning skills through sustained contact with positive role models.

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed volunteers to act as mentors for this new and important initiative.

Programme Overview

A small group of Year 9-12 students in Oxfordshire have been identified to participate in this programme. We expect to recruit around 15 mentors who will mentor two students as part of a pair. Students and mentors will participate in activity days as a whole group, during the Easter vacation in 2011. In the run up to the activity days, after an initial meeting participants will remain in contact via email, following a scheme called ‘Confident Futures’ which will be run by the Brightside Trust, an educational charity.

Commitment to the entire programme is essential and cannot be overemphasised. The programme will be structured as follows:

• Monday 2nd Week (18th October), 7pm and Wednesday 2nd Week (20th October) 4.30pm - Information Sessions
• Monday 3rd Week (24th October) Deadline for applications - 12 noon
•  3rd Week – Interviews
• 5th Week - 1st Mentor Meeting (with selected applicants over dinner)
• Date to be determined - Training afternoon with Brightside Trust, Oxford University Access and Widening Participation Office and representatives from Oxfordshire County Council
• 7th Week - First meeting with students, G&Ds, mentoring begins
• Hilary Term – E-Mentoring and support for mentors
• Easter Vacation – 2-3 day activity programme in Oxfordshire
• Trinity Term – Mentoring continues, group meetup

Student Mentor duties

The mentors will be required to commit to working on the programme for the entire mentoring period. This post is open to current Oxford students, undergraduate or postgraduate.

The sustained contact between children and mentors is the basis of the entire programme: we are working with children who may not have experienced sustained relationships with positive role models. Mentors therefore, will be responsible for ensuring the e-mentoring programme is followed, and will make every effort to rebuild communication which has faltered. The e-mentoring programme will be monitored by the Brightside Trust who will assist mentors with direction where necessary.

Mentors will also be required to contribute to the planning, and be responsible for the delivery, of both group activity days and meetings. This includes preparing the programme and organising logistics (e.g. meeting students at train station).

Participation in training for this programme is obligatory, and mentors will be offered the support of Oxfordshire County Council during the mentoring period. At the end of the 2010-11 academic year contact between students and mentors will cease, and mentors will have no obligation to take part in future mentoring schemes, or to continue contact with these students.
 Person Requirements

We are looking for committed mentors who are willing to dedicate the time and energy required for the programme. Mentors must be enthusiastic, have experience in communicating with young people and be able to work as part of a team.

For the right person, this is an invaluable opportunity to make a difference to young lives. You will be a positive role model for children who have little or no stability in their lives. These children have had fractured experiences of homes and schools, and we are aiming to provide a programme that will provide them with opportunities to develop personally, to increase their confidence and to raise their aspirations. The role of the student mentors in this programme cannot be over emphasised. You will be a friend to these children, but importantly also a figure of authority and responsibility. You will encourage the children to develop their ideas, to take part in all the programme has to offer and to work together as a team, but you will also be responsible for their safety and well being.
Essential Criteria

    * Currently studying for a degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) at the University
    * Be a confident verbal communicator, able to deal with young people.
    * Experience working with young people 11-17 years, in a supervisory capacity
    * Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team
    * Ability to devise, coordinate and organise activities

Appointments are conditional on a CRB check, which will be organised by OUSU.

Remuneration

This is a voluntary opportunity but reasonable expenses will be met, including meals and travel expenses for activity days. Vacation accommodation costs will be paid for those living in college accommodation.

For further information please contact

Daniel Lowe, OUSU VP (Charities and Community): bbbs@ousu.org

Two open information sessions will be held in the OUSU building:

• Monday 2nd Week (18th October), 7pm and
• Wednesday 2nd Week (20th October) 4.30pm

Application forms (for one email bbbs@ousu.org) must be completed and returned by 12 noon, Monday 24th October 2010 (Monday of 3rd week) and can be emailed to bbbs@ousu.org, or sent via pigeon post/delivered to:
OUSU, THOMAS HULL HOUSE, NEW INN HALL STREET, OXFORD OX1 2DH