Planning for the future
Planning for the future - Getting the support of a mentor
Getting the support of a mentor

Introduction

On the following pages you will find some useful information regarding mentors, including:

  • what a mentor does
  • how to find a mentor
  • details of several mentoring schemes and organisations that provide some form of personal support, by way of example

What a mentor does

Mentoring is when one person (the mentor) supports another to enable them to make positive changes in their life. Examples in prison include Listeners, Shannon Trust mentors, Equality Reps, etc. On leaving prison, you may want someone to meet you at the gate and help you get to the hostel and sort out all that needs to be done in the first few weeks. Other kinds of support include help with getting a job or education, children and families, housing, drug or alcohol issues, managing your finances and debt, and helping to build confidence and self-esteem. Mentoring is sometimes also described as befriending or buddying and may include peer support/advice.

Mentors are usually volunteers who are trained to offer support. Some mentoring services may have mentors who will meet you in prison before release or who will meet you at the gate, and in some cases the mentor is someone who has spent time in prison.

How can I get a mentor?

In the following pages you will find details of a number of schemes that provide mentoring and other forms of support. Many of the organisations listed in The Hardman Directory's Getting into Employment section, also provide one-to-one support or mentoring to help people make the transition from prison to a job.

If you are still struggling to find a mentor, Pact provide through-the-gate mentoring programmes and may be able to help you. Perhaps a friend outside may be willing to research the details for you here: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/through-the-gate-mentoring

There are a wide range of mentoring services working with offenders and ex-offenders both in prison and in the community. If you are looking for a mentoring service visit, or to find someone who is willing to visit on your behalf, www.clinks.org/directory  Type mentoring into the search box and click search. You will find information on a considerable number organisations that provide mentoring. If one interests you, click on the organisation's name and a new screen will appear showing contact details."