ENROL A CHILD
ENROL A CHILD
ENROL A CHILD
Our mentoring programme provides a safe and supportive space for young people to foster a sense of belonging and self-worth, and the opportunity to unlock their potential; creating more fulfilled and connected tamariki and communities. The majority of the young people who come through the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme are looking for positive adult role models outside of their existing support structures.
Young people aged 6 – 12 are matched with an adult volunteer based on personality, shared interests, location and other factors that will help the match be successful. One hour, once a week, for a minimum of a year, the mentor meets with the young person to spend time together – it could be baking, crafts, going to the beach, playing sport – the possibilities are endless!
Our mentoring programme provides a safe and supportive space for young people to foster a sense of belonging and self-worth, and the opportunity to unlock their potential; creating more fulfilled and connected tamariki and communities. The majority of the young people who come through the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme are looking for positive adult role models outside of their existing support structures.
Young people aged 6 – 12 are matched with an adult volunteer based on personality, shared interests, location and other factors that will help the match be successful. Once a week, for a minimum of a year, the mentor meets with the young person to spend time together – it could be baking, crafts, going to the beach, playing sport – the possibilities are endless!
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Authority – You are the parent/guardian of the young person, or you are a professional with consent from the parent/guardian of the young person.
Age – Your young person is aged between 6-12 years old at the time of referral.
Area – The young person lives within our catchment area, with the northern border ending at Albany and the southern border ending at Takanini.
Need – Is in need of an additional supportive, consistent adult role model.
Support – Has a parent/caregiver who will support the mentoring and will ensure they are available for regular contact with programme staff.
Commitment – The child and parent/guardian have the time to commit to at least an hour of mentoring each week for a minimum of a year.
Challenges – The child does not have complex behavioural or health diagnoses that would put themselves or the mentor at risk. Our mentors are volunteers, and most do not have specialist training to support this level of need. If you are unsure if your child falls within this category, please contact us to discuss.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Authority – You are the parent/guardian of the young person, or you are a professional with consent from the parent/guardian of the young person.
Age – Your young person is aged between 6-12 years old at the time of referral.
Area – The young person lives within our catchment area, with the northern border ending at Albany and the southern border ending at Takanini.
Need – Is in need of an additional supportive, consistent adult role model.
Support – Has a parent/caregiver who will support the mentoring and will ensure they are available for regular contact with programme staff.
Commitment – The child and parent/guardian have the time to commit to at least an hour of mentoring each week for a minimum of a year.
Challenges – The child does not have complex behavioural or health diagnoses that would put themselves or the mentor at risk. Our mentors are volunteers, and most do not have specialist training to support this level of need. If you are unsure if your child falls within this category, please contact us to discuss.
FAQS
Are you accepting referrals?
Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland is currently only accepting child referrals on a case by case basis, dependent on the availability of volunteers and the capacity of our staff. All expressions of interest will be placed on our matching list, but unfortunately we are unable to guarantee that all children referred will be accepted into the programme. Being placed on our matching list means your child will be considered when mentors become available.
We would love to be able to match every child referred with a kind, caring mentor, but we can’t do this without your help. If you are in a position to do so, consider becoming a regular donor, or contact us for more ways you can help us make a difference for children across Auckland.
Who will be mentoring my child?
Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors are adult volunteers who come from all walks of life. The safety of your child is of paramount importance to us, and child protection is our first priority. Our mentors are police-vetted, reference checked and trained by specialised staff, and the match is closely monitored and supported by a specially trained Mentoring Coordinator/Kairuruku.
What are some of the benefits?
Mentoring through the Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to make a lasting, positive impact in the life of a young person.
A study for Big Brothers Big Sisters found that kids matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister:
✓ are more confident
✓ are more likely to avoid negative social behaviours
✓ do better in school
✓ get along better with their family and friends
✓ feel better about themselves
How do I refer my child?
Prior to referring a child, please make sure that you have carefully read the eligibility criteria. We are unable to accept referrals for children who do not meet these criteria. You can then put through an expression of interest at the form at the bottom of this page. If you are unsure if your child meets the criteria, or are unsure of the process, please contact us and one of our friendly team will be in touch to help.
Please note that due to enormous demand, Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland must consider each enrolment request on a case-by-case basis. Although we endeavour to provide every child that needs one with a mentor, we are not able to accept every child into the programme. This is due to the availability and suitability of volunteers across the region, and the capacity of staff to support the match.
Do you accept referrals from professionals?
We are able to accept referrals from professionals. However, we require that the child’s caregivers are aware and supportive of the referral, and you have ensured they have a clear understanding of what the programme entails. They will need to be available for regular contact with programme staff, able to support their child with safety checking, and commit to a year of mentoring if their child is accepted.
Please ensure that you have carefully read the eligibility criteria below. We are unable to accept children who do not meet these criteria. You can then put through an expression of interest at the form at the bottom of this page. If you are unsure if the child meets the criteria, or are unsure of the process, please contact us and one of our friendly team will be in touch to help.
Please note that due to enormous demand, Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland must consider each enrolment request on a case-by-case basis. Although we endeavour to provide every child that needs one with a mentor, we are not able to accept every child into the programme. This is due to the availability and suitability of volunteers across the region, and the capacity of staff to support the match.
FAQS
Are you accepting referrals?
Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland is currently only accepting child referrals on a case by case basis, dependent on the availability of volunteers and the capacity of our staff. All expressions of interest will be placed on our waiting list, but unfortunately we are unable to guarantee that all children referred will be accepted into the programme.
We would love to be able to match every child referred with a kind, caring mentor, but we can’t do this without your help. If you are in a position to do so, consider becoming a regular donor, or contact us for more ways you can help us make a difference for children across Auckland.
Who will be mentoring my child?
Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors are adult volunteers who come from all walks of life. The safety of your child is of paramount importance to us, and child protection is our first priority. Our mentors are police-vetted, reference checked and trained by specialised staff, and the match is closely monitored and supported by a specially trained Mentoring Coordinator/Kairuruku.
What are some of the benefits?
Mentoring through the Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to make a lasting, positive impact in the life of a young person.
A study for Big Brothers Big Sisters found that kids matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister:
✓ are more confident
✓ are more likely to avoid negative social behaviours
✓ do better in school
✓ get along better with their family and friends
✓ feel better about themselves
How do I refer my child?
Prior to referring a child, please make sure that you have carefully read the eligibility criteria. We are unable to accept referrals for children who do not meet these criteria. You can then put through an expression of interest at the form at the bottom of this page. If you are unsure if your child meets the criteria, or are unsure of the process, please contact us and one of our friendly team will be in touch to help.
Please note that due to enormous demand, Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland must consider each enrolment request on a case-by-case basis. Although we endeavour to provide every child that needs one with a mentor, we are not able to accept every child into the programme. This is due to the availability and suitability of volunteers across the region, and the capacity of staff to support the match.
Do you accept referrals from professionals?
We are able to accept referrals from professionals. However, we require that the child’s caregivers are aware and supportive of the referral, and you have ensured they have a clear understanding of what the programme entails. They will need to be available for regular contact with programme staff, able to support their child with safety checking, and commit to a year of mentoring if their child is accepted.
Please ensure that you have carefully read the eligibility criteria below. We are unable to accept children who do not meet these criteria. You can then put through an expression of interest at the form at the bottom of this page. If you are unsure if the child meets the criteria, or are unsure of the process, please contact us and one of our friendly team will be in touch to help.
Please note that due to enormous demand, Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland must consider each enrolment request on a case-by-case basis. Although we endeavour to provide every child that needs one with a mentor, we are not able to accept every child into the programme. This is due to the availability and suitability of volunteers across the region, and the capacity of staff to support the match.
ENROL A CHILD
Do you know a young person aged between 6-12 who would benefit from a mentor?
Please note, all new applications for boys in West Auckland who are 12 and over will be automatically declined, as we will not be able to guarantee a match before they age out at 13 years old. All other Auckland referrals will be assessed and added on a case by case basis, and only if we believe we could find them a mentor before they also age out.