We work with the Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust to offer mentoring to adult offenders
who are trying to get their lives back on track.
Mentors complement the work of the Probation Service by supporting, motivating and
giving practical help. They will advise offenders, who may or may not have been in
prison, about how to sort out life’s essentials, such as finding a dentist or registering
with a GP, and ensure they know where to go for help with things like housing, employment
and money worries.
We provide training over several sessions.
Mentors are supported by the mentor co-ordinator Cathy Leamon, who will ensure there
is the support, guidance and resources to make a success of the mentoring project.
Mentors will be trained to challenge appropriately and will be supported in their
work with regular supervision, peer group sessions, training support, advice and
guidance
The offender will not be breeched if he fails to attend a mentoring session but this
will be reported back to his offender manager.
Mentors meet with offenders on a regular basis for up to six months, either at a
Probation office or in a suitable public place.
We will give you training
The Surrey Care Trust provides free training run by our own staff. Taking part in the training does not commit you to anything, should you decide that mentoring is not for you after all.
Training is based on modules designed by the National Mentoring and Befriending Network (www.mandbf.org.uk). The three sessions each last three hours.
The commitment
Typically mentors would see a mentee for an hour once a week until the mentee has achieved the goals he or she has set for themselves.
Setting the boundaries
Meetings may take place at a café, library or other convenient public place.
Supporting the mentors
Mentors have regular one-to-one meetings with one of the programme managers, as well as group meetings with other mentors to provide mutual support.
