- Louise Botwright said...
JUMP is a youth mentoring project run for and by young people.
JUMP is open to all young people aged 13–25 years old who may benefit from the mentoring process;
However, our project particularly aims to help vulnerable teenagers find a safe place to live, encourage them to learn the skills that will kick-start their career, and give them the motivation to move away from crime and anti-social behaviour.
At JUMP, our job is not to judge – our job to listen, to give advice and help whenever we can.
JUMP’s volunteers know what they’re talking about. Between them, they’ve experienced, bullying and teenage pregnancy; homelessness and drug misuse; family problems and low self-esteem. And now they’re using those experiences to help young people in similar scenarios.
It’s not easy growing up, before you’ve had a chance to pack away your toys, you’re exposed to a whole new world. Alcohol and drugs, credit cards & loans, sex and pregnancy, exams and jobs. The pressure’s on, and sometimes it gets too much.
That’s when JUMP’s volunteers come in. They give up their free time, instead choosing to support other young people by giving them guidance, encouragement, understanding and motivation.
They don’t do it to make money. They do it to make a difference.
At JUMP, every young person is matched with a Mentor, an independent and unbiased person who they can talk to in confidence and who 9 times out of 10 has been through a similar experience to what their mentee is going through.
Life’s tough and for those young people who don’t have support, motivation and encouragement or the confidence to speak up about bullying or abuse it can sometimes become a quick and vicious cycle into depression, drug & alcohol misuse, unemployment, crime and a general feeling of no self worth. But with the right support and guidance it doesn’t have to end up that way.
When you were a child, who brought that special something, a bit of magic, into your life? Those are the things that we tend to look back on and remember. By becoming a mentor with JUMP, you could be that special someone who has made a difference to a young person’s life.
Being a mentor is something anyone can do, the only requirements are training and a willingness to give guidance, support and motivation and an ability to see the world and yourself through the eyes of the young person you are mentoring.
A mentor can open a world of possibilities and opportunities for a young person simply by being a positive role model.
JUMP is simple and rewarding. It is easy to show your mentee how to play a few games, have a laugh, watch a film or read together. Being someone special to a young person takes little more than that, but the impact is huge for both of you!
Young people first meet their mentor for a game of bowling or a slice of pizza, then every week for the next eight weeks. Nervous first hellos quickly develop into conversations, and the program quickly becomes an enjoyable learning experience for everyone involved. JUMP reviews every match after eight weeks. It can be extended or, if no further weekly sessions are required, a progression route will be agreed with everyone given the opportunity to resume contact with JUMP in the future.
All of our mentors are fully trained, approachable, down to earth and non judgmental, and can offer a wide range of support to young people who really need it. So why not get involved and show your support buy offering your time, a donation or help to spread the word about JUMP and make a real difference to the lives of young people by helping to ensure every young person has the ability and right to access nonjudgmental help and support when needed.
To find out more about JUMP or how you can get involved contact louise via 01502 569225 or email louise@jumpuk.org
What do you think? Do you have any questions or comments on the work that this charity does? Post them below and we'll try to get some answers or Click here to return to our List of Charities
No comments:
Post a Comment