With the growing need of all young people, it's imperative that we upskill, treating youth mentoring as a practice, used by professionals, and not merely a soft skill that we all possess and can easily do.
Below are two reasons why you should get qualified as a youth mentor.
1. The Power of Guidance
Youth mentoring involves providing guidance and advice to younger generations. As a youth mentor, you will help guide them through difficult times and provide them with the support they need to make informed decisions. Mentors are role models and provide not only emotional support but also practical assistance such as helping with school work or job applications. And while it may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that this is all done with the best of intentions - to help young people grow into responsible adults who can successfully navigate the world around them. This role shouldn't rely on a guessing game, or be offered on a whim. Learning 'how to deliver guidance safely, can save lives, especially when working with vulnerable and marginalised youth.
2. The Benefits of building integral relationships
In addition to being an incredible opportunity to give back to your community, there are many personal benefits associated with being a youth mentor. For starters, it’s an amazing way to develop meaningful relationships with those you’re mentoring and gain invaluable insights into different perspectives and lifestyles. Additionally, mentoring can also increase your understanding of yourself and the world around you - something that no amount of money can buy. Furthermore, being a youth mentor has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels and improve overall wellbeing - so it really is worth taking the time out for! In order to build integral relationships, we must remember to maintain professional boundaries, reflecting on our own past trauma and experiences. Putting ourselves as youth mentors last is harder than it seems, and maintaining critical boundaries, supporting mentee through mental health difficulties even more so.
Meeting the increasing need of young people
Given the importance of this role, there are certain qualifications that must be met before someone can become a youth mentor. Depending on where you live, these requirements may differ slightly; however, generally speaking you must have completed high school or equivalent education, have experience working with children or young adults in some capacity (e.g., coaching sports teams or volunteering), pass background checks/drug tests (if applicable), maintain an acceptable level of professionalism at all times, be patient and tolerant when dealing with challenging situations etc. On top of this there may also be additional training courses required which certify mentors in areas such as conflict resolution or crisis management – depending on the organization/location where you plan on working as a mentor.
Youth mentoring training shouldn't be a tick-box exercise!
Becoming a youth mentor is an incredibly rewarding experience if done properly – so make sure that qualifying as one is your priority! There are numerous benefits associated with this role – from developing meaningful relationships to gaining valuable insights into different perspectives/lifestyles – but most importantly it allows us as mentors to give back by helping our younger generations become successful adults who are capable of making informed decisions in life! So what are you waiting for? Start exploring your options today!
Get qualified. Contact us today
Email us at training@thementoringlab.co.uk
Explore our current CPD training and Qualifications here
Or call us today for a friendly chat on 02081588500.
