Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentors are positive role models who offer support and friendship to a young person. Mentoring is about experiencing fun activities together and forming a trusting bond. By giving a small amount of your time each week, you can make a big difference in the life of a young person. We accept young people aged six to eleven years on the programme, with the aim to keep them involved until they reach 18.

Volunteer mentors are:

• A friend to your taiohi/young person, and take them out once per week for an hour or more after school or on the weekends

• A positive role model and display responsible behaviours such as reliability, respect, and honesty, whilst upholding the protection and safety of the taiohi/young person

• Available to talk by phone or in person to your assigned BBBS team member once per month

• Communicative with your taiohi/young person's parent or caregiver to arrange weekly outings

Mentor Requirements:

• BBBS accepts mentors between 18 to 70 years of age

• You must have a full and valid driver's license

• You must have a registered vehicle

Application Process:

• Volunteers complete a phone screening, then an application form, and participate in an interview that lasts approximately an hour

• Volunteers must provide at least three referees, and pass a Police background check

• Volunteers attend our new mentor training programme

• The decision to accept a volunteer into the programme will be based upon an Applicant Assessment form that summarises information gathered during the screening process

BBBS has final approval for an applicant’s acceptance into the programme and is not obligated to provide a reason to volunteer applicants who are declined from participating in the programme.

Ongoing support

• Each match is supported by a BBBS Mentor Coordinator, who checks in monthly with volunteers, children, and parents once per month

• Mentor and mentee events are organised several times throughout the year, along with mentor training and social activities