Community
Cohesion - TimeTogether Project
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The Centre for Equality and Diversity is pleased to announce the
launch of its new TimeTogether Refugee Mentoring Project.
The project which began in October is funded by the Home Office and
is run in conjunction with national volunteering Charity TimeBank.
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The project matches UK Citizens in one-on-one mentoring
relationships with refugees. Mentoring is one of the most effective
ways of overcoming the difficulties and barriers faced by refugees
in the UK. Mentors support, encourage, motivate and guide their
mentee as they seek to achieve their goals in education, employment
and integration.
We are currently seeking committed, enthusiastic individuals to
volunteer as mentors. In addition, we would be delighted to speak to
any refugees who feel that they may benefit from being involved in a
mentoring relationship.
What’s involved?
When they
enter the UK, refugees face many barriers to successful integration.
These include difficulties with language, a lack of knowledge about
UK systems, such as where to find employment opportunities,
financial hardship and often open hostility and discrimination from
the host community.
Mentoring is
one of the most effective ways of overcoming these difficulties.
Mentors support, encourage, motivate and guide their mentee as they
seek to achieve their goals in education, employment and
integration.
Mentors spend
about 5 hours a month with their mentee over a period of a year.
Mentors help their mentee to feel more at home in the UK by sharing
their knowledge and experience, and offering their friendship. This
might mean doing anything from helping to write a CV, to visiting a
museum or art gallery, to helping to practise English or explaining
the peculiarities of British humour. Time Together provides full
training and support to mentors and mentees throughout the course of
the mentoring relationships.
Since the
project was launched in 2002, hundreds of refugees have been matched
with a volunteer mentor.
Mentoring is
one of the most rewarding ways of giving time. It offers a wonderful
opportunity to use your own knowledge and experience to help another
person while giving you the chance to develop your own skills.
‘Mentoring for TimeTogether sounded socially rewarding but I had
no idea it would be fun, personally challenging and educational as
well. Easily the best volunteer activity I have ever had the
privilege to be involved in.’ - A mentor on TimeTogether
For further information, please contact Sharron Jones on
01384 860351 or e-mail
Sharron.jones@cfed.org.uk
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