Grandmentor (CSVA)

In Surrey, our Grandmentors project harnesses the energy, skills, and experience of older volunteers (aged 50+) to support young people as they navigate life after care.

Our Grandmentors come from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, enabling them to understand and meet the range of needs of their mentees.

Our trained volunteers, forge trusting and positive relationships that support, challenge, and empower mentees to unlock their own skills and to shape their own futures.

Mentoring gives a young person (age 16-24) a positive relationship with an adult who is there just for them. Not another professional that has been assigned to them, but an adult that they have chosen to match with based on the mentors’ qualities and experience and how these may support the young person in achieving goals of their own.

Our goal is to provide consistency and stability to our care experienced young people and so you should expect that a match could last anywhere up to a year, in some cases longer however this is based on the individual needs of your mentee.

Through regular meetings you will be boosting your mentees confidence and working towards goals specific to them.

Ultimately you will be giving them the skills and self-belief to lead successful and independent lives.

What skills do I need?

Grandmentors are not specially trained career counsellors or support workers.

You will offer guidance and support to your mentee based on your own experiences and work with them to help them achieve their goals.

You will have a genuine interest in helping young people lead rewarding and successful lives. You need patience and a non-judgmental attitude in order to establish a beneficial relationship.