How does it work?
We’re using our years of mentoring experience to complement the expert treatment and therapies provided by our partner, Combat Stress to run Shoulder to Shoulder.
Volunteer mentors are either ex-Service men and women who have made a successful transition to civilian life or someone who has a deep understanding of the issues through direct family connections or previous mentoring experience.
As a mentor you will offer practical support and friendship to your mentee. You’ll help them to adjust to civilian life and integrate into society as well as empower them to make positive changes in their life.
All mentees will be recovering from mental health problems and have been through clinical treatment, so you’re not expected to be there as a professional to advise or counsel them. Both yours (the mentor) and the mentee’s applications will go through a Consultation Group to make sure that everyone is sure Shoulder to Shoulder is right for them.
How often do we meet?
You’ll meet on a one-to-one basis for five hours a month for at least six months to a year. It’s flexible too, so once you’ve been matched you can meet when and where suits you both – we strongly suggest somewhere neutral and where you’ll both feel comfortable.
Will I get training?
Both you (the volunteer mentor) and the ex-Service man or woman you support (mentee) will have an informal induction with the Project Coordinator. Mentors also get a day's training, which gives you information about what’s involved, goal-setting and of course, how we will support you throughout your relationship.
Once I've signed up, how long will it take before I can start mentoring?
Once you’ve signed up, this is the process:
- Your application will be reviewed by our Consultation Group
- You will then meet with the project team to find out more about Shoulder to Shoulder and complete a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check
- Providing all of the above is ok, you’ll be invited to a one day training course
- We’ll ask you for two references (one personal and one professional). Once we’ve got these, matches will be made by the Consultation Group.
This may take about six weeks – mainly because CRBs take a while to come through (sometimes up to three months). We will do everything we can to make the process as short as possible and we will of course keep you updated.
Interested? Apply to support someone
