Big Brothers Big Sisters has been delivering mentoring programs in Australia for over 45 years and is part of an internationally recognised mentoring organization.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Ballarat has developed an active small group mentoring program as a response to the wait lists for young people that have occurred due to Covid.

The role of a small group mentor is:

• To act as a positive role model and encourage new experiences and opportunities
• To encourage a young person to reach their potential
• To respect a young person’s dignity and right to privacy
• To maintain positive relationships with parent/guardians and respect their confidentiality/privacy
• To consider the safety of the young person and establish appropriate
• boundaries/limits for behaviour
• To maintain regular contact with the nominated Coordinator regarding the progress of the program
• To participate in ongoing training and volunteer support meetings

Small group mentor skills

• capacity to work with other mentors as a team that supports young participants and model teamwork:
• capacity to encourage young people to try new activities and learn new active skills; -- capacity to model positive relationship skills;
• capacity to encourage participation of young people with relationship skills, confidence, learning about others in the group;
• capacity to support young people to manage and regulate their emotions; -capacity to support young people to develop a mutually co-operative, supportive approach to all members of the group.

The expected impact of the program

• Young people develop knowledge and skills in the following areas:
• Teamwork participation, cooperation, positive and respectful communication:
• Physical / Mental health development - improved physical fitness, creation of physical exercise mindset for emotional regulation;
• Improved social interactions within the group and with mentors;
• Improved capacity to trust and be trusted.