Meet our Mentors
Le Chéile believes in volunteer-led mentoring and our team of over 250+ trained and committed volunteers across the country are the foundation of the organisation. Mentors provide support, guidance and encouragement to help young people and their families make positive choices and provide alternatives to offending.
What’s Involved?
Our mentors are matched with a young person aged between 12-24 years or a parent or carer. Mentors and young people meet on a weekly basis for up to 3 hours to do an activity like going to the cinema, bowling, or just meeting for a bite to eat and a chat. Parent mentors also meet weekly with a parent they are matched with to have a coffee or a bite to eat.
Mentoring sessions create an informal, relaxed atmosphere, through which the mentor can support a young person or parent and help them to make positive changes.
Le Chéile covers all costs involved in mentoring sessions; all you give is your time.
Am I suitable as a mentor?
Le Cheile’s mentors represent a wide range of ages and diverse backgrounds and experience. The main criteria for being a Le Cheile mentor are being able to communicate effectively, having the belief in young people’s ability to turn their lives around and also the skill to put young people/parents at ease and build a connection with them. All training is provided.
What happens after I apply?
The local staff member will select the most suitable applicants and arrange an informal interview with them. All those successful at the interview will be invited to attend mandatory training. Training, references and garda vetting are all part of the process applicants must go through before being considered for mentoring.
What is the commitment?
The initial training is mandatory and consists of 8 modules (8 x 3 hours approx.) which is usually spread out over a few evenings/weekends. The training will prepare you for mentoring a young person and also answer a lot of the questions you may still have. You will also have the opportunity to meet other new volunteers.
Once matched to a young person/parent you will meet them once a week for between 1-3 hours depending on the person/what stage your relationship building is at .and the activity you have planned.
What does ‘Being Matched ‘mean?
Your local staff member will take some time to get to know you to help decide which mentee (young person or parent) is the best match for you, based on your strengths and interests. When this ‘match’ is found, a match meeting will be arranged. Being matched may not happen straight away as it depends on the number of new referrals and can take time to get to know you and find a suitable match in your location.
Are Expenses covered?
YES, all expenses are covered, and Le Cheile will provide a budget for costs relating to mentoring activities.
What will I do with the mentee?
When you meet your mentee, you will both agree activities or places to go. This could be as simple as a walk, a chat and coffee or an activity which you can undertake together, such as going to the gym or a movie or for a bite to eat. Don’t worry, your local staff member will help you with this and as you get to know your mentee you will be led by them too.
Will I get support?
Yes, we are here to support you and your mentee all along your journey together. Le Cheile is only a phone call away.
Volunteer mentors are contacted regularly by the local staff member to see how they are getting on and group supervisions are organized to provide ongoing support and training as well as an opportunity to meet other volunteers and share experiences.
Volunteer Recruitment
Le Chéile Mentoring runs two annual recruitment campaigns. The first runs from January to March and the second runs from September to November.
We recruit on a needs basis, which means that not every region will be recruiting new volunteers during a particular campaign. Some regions may recruit only once a year and some may recruit every 18 months.
The best way to stay up-to-date on where we are recruiting is to follow us on social media, sign up to our Newsletter or keep an eye on this page. You can also submit an application form now and we will be in touch with you as soon as a recruitment campaign is launched in your area.
Your Time, Your Support, Your Kindess Can Change Lives
What to Expect as a Volunteer?
As a volunteer mentor, you have an opportunity to encourage positive change in the life of a young person or parent and to witness first-hand the impact that you can have.
Additionally, you can also expect the following:
- Tailored, eight module mentor induction training
- Support of a trained Mentoring Co-ordinator
- Regular group sessions with other Mentors
- Optional ongoing training to learn new skills
- Travel and activity expenses
- Meet new people and make new friends
- Gain experience that will support your personal and professional development
Hear from some of our volunteers on their experiences of mentoring with Le Chéile by watching the video below.