Mentors needed to help job searches

Wednesday 6th June 2012

Volunteers are needed to mentor disabled and disadvantaged people to help them find employment.

The nationwide search for volunteers has been launched by the Mentoring And Befriending Foundation (MBF) after 77% of disabled people said a mentor would help in their search for work.

The foundation now hopes to attract 500 volunteers to its Mentoring For Success programme.

Steve Matthews, chief executive of MBF, said: "We're delighted to launch this programme, aimed at supporting hundreds of disabled and disadvantaged adults across the country. It's a fantastic opportunity for us to show how volunteer-based mentoring and befriending can be used to encourage disadvantaged individuals to achieve greater independence in their lives and potentially find employment.

"It also provides an opportunity for volunteers to give something back to their local community, as well as offering them their own development opportunity."

Research from MBF found that 69% of disadvantaged and disabled people said it would be beneficial to have the support of a mentor through the first few months of employment in a new job. In addition, 79% of volunteers said that mentoring or befriending had changed their life for the better.

Volunteers would be encouraged to commit for one to two hours per week for a minimum of three months. The programme is expected to last between a year and 18 months.

MBF wants to hear from individuals and employers which are interested in offering the experience as a development opportunity to staff.

To register visit http://www.equalapproach.com/news/mentoring.php or employers can email mentoringforemployers@equalapproach.com.

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