Mentoring in Youthline

Mentoring has been a cornerstone process within Youthline since our beginning nearly 40 years ago.

Mentoring has been a cornerstone process within Youthline since our beginning nearly 40 years ago.  A senior person who is well-resourced and skilled in relationships, is linked with a beginning person both within a group format structure and a peer format structure.  This is what has enabled Youthline to grow, develop and mature over the years.

Many people use the word 'Mentoring' in many different ways.  The word originally came from ancient Greek.  The figure from this Mythology was called Mentor, and classically he was wise, kind, strict and imparting all sorts of useful knowledge and training to the son of Ulysses whom was left behind when his father went off to conquer the world.  Mentor encouraged, taught and corrected as necessary.  His influence was based on relationship.  Relationship has been the essence behind all our work in the community. 

Styles of Mentoring

1.    One to One Mentoring
Linking a beginning person with a senior person is an important aspect of welcoming, orientating, guiding and coaching.  The level of intimacy can be high, and therefore the safety and security of the new person is developed within a controlled environment.  There is an opportunity to be flexible, as one-to-one mentoring is based on the relationship and the need that is present at any one time.

2.    One to Others Mentoring
The group structure of Youthline has been the holding and development space for all our people who are involved and who move on to provide a range of services to our wider community.  Mentoring in a group situation involves not only the leaders liaising to group members, but also to one another.  The mentoring role is passed around within the group process as the needs dictate.  When there are people with similar needs, interest and purpose, a group session is a very effective way of achieving a purpose providing accountability, orientation and training.  It is the relationships that make the difference in this situation and the focus on the relationship development is essential.

3.    Peer to Peer Mentoring
The Peer Development processes in Youthline have been around since the beginning.  Learning from one another and developing experiences, skills and insight is a cornerstone of our work.  Peer-to-peer mentoring in Youthline is not an unconscious process, but an intentional focus within relationships.  This intentional focus builds the relationship to be able to handle feedback, both criticism and praise, thereby creating a structure where we can learn and develop.

4.    Technology Mentoring
Technology underpins much of our day to day life.  Since Youthline’s beginning, technology has been an essential component of linking experienced and well-resourced people with people on the edge of our community.  We have done this through the phone service, and today through text, email and online forums. Online forums provide opportunity for both one to one and peer mentoring.   .

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