PROMISEworks

Delivering inspirational mentoring for Somerset’s most vulnerable, disaffected and disadvantaged young people. We recruit, train and support volunteers who provide long-term, inspirational mentoring to some of the county’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people – ages 5 to 25. They are referred to the scheme for a wide variety of reasons, including some who have suffered abuse or neglect. Our successful mentoring model has been developed over the past 20 years. Through a long-term, trusting relationship with a mentor, a child can develop the resilience, self-esteem and emotional well-being that will help them “to build a life that works”. Each of our wonderful volunteers is an ordinary person who can find a little time to give regular support to a child who needs their help. After extensive training and assessment, they are carefully matched with their young friend and thereafter meet with them on a weekly or fortnightly basis for a period of at least two years. Mentoring is about simple activities – a walk, a coffee or a trip to the beach. The gifts of time and attention are what our young people value the most. PROMISEworks relies upon its own fundraising efforts to finance this non-statutory service.