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Big Brother/Big Sister Mentor for a young person/young adult with autism

Foroige Sligo

About Foroige Sligo

Foróige is the leading youth organisation in Ireland and has been working with young people since 1952. Our purpose is to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their development and in the development of society.

We work with over 50,000 young people aged 10-18 each year through volunteer-led Clubs and staff-led Youth Projects. Foróige currently operates in 26 counties in Ireland, with 614 Foróige Clubs, 160 Youth Projects, the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programme, the Foróige Youth Entrepreneurship programme, our Youth Citizenship and Youth Leadership programmes.

Foróige works with all young people through our general services. Foróige Clubs, Foróige Juniors, Foróige Interest Clubs, Foróige Youth Cafés encourage young people to take responsibility for themselves and to be part of shaping the world around them while developing their talents, skills and abilities. We also work with vulnerable young people who require additional support through a full range of targeted services.

What's Involved

We are looking for volunteers at the moment and in particular male volunteers.

Volunteers are asked to share one or two hours per week with their little brother/sister. All young people in this programme are aged between 10 and 18 years and have a diagnosis of autism.

All volunteers are screened and receive training and support in their role. Volunteers are matched based on common interests/hobbies and complimentary personalities.

We have a new programme- "Site based mentoring"- this is a mentoring programme that matches an adult volunteer to a young person in a supervised setting. Its core assumption is that a friendship will develop through an activity focused programme which will have positive outcomes for the young person in a specific area. The goals may include developing a young person’s social skills, learning a new skill, integrating into the community.
The match meet once a week, for one to two hours, in a supervised group setting by a staff member or a volunteer. They may do one to one activities or group activities (e.g they may do one to one activities such as play a game of pool or a board game or they may participate in group activities such as 5-aside soccer).

There is just a 12 WEEK commitment with option to extend.

What's required for this position

patient, kind and caring with a desire to help an young person that would benefit from additional support

  • Hospitality/ Befriending
  • Personable Skills

Level of English required for this role:
Intermediate English

Times and commitment required for this role

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Minimum time commitment: 1 year

Hours required: 1hrs Weekly

Other Details

Location of volunteering opportunity:
Throughout County Sligo and County Leitrim - depends on location of volunteer and young person

Also available in these counties
Leitrim

Screening details for this role:

  • Formal Interview
  • Garda Vetting
  • Informal Interviews
  • References
  • Application Form
  • Identification Check (photo ID etc…)

Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:

  • Support/ advice/ recognition
  • Supervision
  • Initial induction and training
  • Insurance cover
  • Ongoing training opportunities

Volunteers with the following challenges will be supported in this role

  • Physical Disability
  • Sensory Disability
  • Learning Disability
  • Mental Health Difficulties

Age restrictions:
Over 18

Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
No

Benefits you will receive as a volunteer

Ongoing support, mentor training and Child protection training.

Apply Now Click the apply now button to register your interest in this opportunity.
  • This opportunity is posted by:
  • Volunteer Centre: Sligo
Volunteer Ireland is delighted to acknowledge the support of:
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