
Buddy Mentoring Programme
The Family Works Buddy Programme matches Big and Little Buddies.
The programme contributes to the emotional and social well being of children by matching them with carefully selected and trained adult volunteers in a well-supported mentoring relationship.
The Aims
- Increase children’s self esteem
- Develop social skills and help children make positive choices
- Opportunities for new social experiences and different activities
- Friendship, support, guidance and encouragement
- Fun and happiness
Big Buddies are
- Adults who are there to listen, support and encourage their Little Buddy
- People to hang out and have fun with once a week for 2-3 hours
- Adults aged 18 years and over
- Women and Men from varied backgrounds and life experiences
- Adult role models who can provide a healthy adult/child relationship
Little Buddies are
- Primary school aged children up to 12 years old
- Children whose life circumstances indicate the need for additional adult support
- Children who need extra help coping with or fitting into their home, school or community
- Referred from a variety of sources, such as social workers, public health nurses, teachers and by their own family