The PCC of St James' Church in Norton Juxta Kempsey, just outside of Worcester, has beensuccessful in securing a grant of 9,800 from Heritage Lottery Fund Awards forAll to support the Benefices early intervention mentoring work in localschools. Over the last two years theParishes of Kempsey and Norton Juxta Kempsey have been working with MOTOV 8 (alocal charity) and the TLG Charity (Transforming Lives for Good) to support anumber young people experiencing difficulties at school or at home.
The Revd Mark Badger said: "We are delighted to have secured this fundingwhich will enable us to expand our mentor support project within localschools. Sadly, the need for such workincreases with children experiencing a range of issues such as low self-esteem,anxiety, bereavement and anger management. Working in partnership with Motov8, TLG and other local churches our aimis to train a group of volunteers to become mentors and to develop a tool kitof resources and strategies that we can share and which will also become a basefor our future work in this area.Thiswork is part of our Kingdom People vision to be active in support of ourcommunity both spiritually and practically and by living out the values of Love,compassion, justice and freedom."
Mentee Comments:
My mentor helped meloads with my behaviour and how to control my anger
I think thementoring has helped me a lot with teaching me how to approach certainsituations and control my anger
It is helpful fornot getting in trouble and good to have someone from outside to talk to
The mentoringreally helped me because I know I can speak to someone if I have any problems
When I haveproblems my mentor tells me ways to deal with it and this has helped me a lot
School Comments:
"The mentoringprovided has helped a number of vulnerable pupils to better engage within theclassroom and interact with their peers."
"The supportive,healthy relationships formed between mentors and mentees contribute to a hostof benefits for mentees and the school."
"The mentoringscheme has enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence, Improved behaviour, bothat home and at school and helped stronger relationships with parents, teachers,and peers."
