Advice, Information Volunteer Roles

Trailblazers has been providing mentoring services to people in prison since 1998 with ultimate aim to to reduce re-offending. We provide support to men between the age of 18 - 35 that have 6 months left of their prison sentence and through gate into their own community for a maximum of 12 months. Services are delivered in Wolverhampton in HMPYOI Brinsford, HMP Featherstone. In London HMP Brixton and HMPYOI Isis. We are looking for volunteer mentors in all priosn porjects that can spare half a day per week to support men to change their life through inspirational role models and goal setting. Mentoring sessions usually last 1 hour per week, to allow enough time for travel and liasing with Trailblazers staff this will take about half of your day. We are actively looking for people to join our mentoring community with lived experience of the criminal justice system, under represented groups from BAME community, creative arts, business skills, wellbeing - whatever your skills and background we are open to hear from you to support our diverse group of men.Out of pocket expenses are covered as well as training to equip you for your role. Email us for an application form. 

• To provide a positive role model for people in prison and in their own community, to be empathic and to have a desire and commitment to support people to fulfil their potential.

• To attend and participate fully in the initial and ongoing mentor training.

• To attend group support/supervision meetings and review performance within mentoring relationships.

• To complete mentoring session notes relevant to the mentoring service for monitoring purposes.

• To take part in introductory meetings with mentees and set ground rules and boundaries.

• To report safeguarding concerns immediately

• To follow relevant policies and procedures 

• To perform your role in line with the aims of the organisation

• To meet with and actively develop a supportive relationship with mentees

• Be prepared to travel and undertake visits for mentoring sessions 

• To make the necessary practical arrangements to meet the mentee on a weekly or fortnightly basis

• Assist the mentee to celebrate their achievements

• Support the mentee to meet identified goals

• Develop an understanding of the role, responsibilities and boundaries of a volunteer mentor

• Be committed to the project for a minimum of 18 months

• Regular communication with Trailblazers staff in support of your mentee 

Skills/behaviours/knowledge required 

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and challenges faced by mentees (Desirable) full training will be given 

• Awareness of own professional boundaries and the ability to report any concerns within the mentoring relationship that could be pertinent to risk to the mentee, or to others 

• To be an advocate for a mentee and to actively seek opportunities for mentees for resettlement back into their own community in conjunction with Trailblazers staff 

• To be non-judgmental, focus on the person rather than the offense 

• Professional but relatable with strong communication skills 

• Awareness of adversity and how to overcome barriers to build a supportive network around the mentee 

• Basic IT skills 

• Be able to take advice and guidance from Trailblazers staff 

Criteria

• Over 21 

• We encourage applications from those with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System but you must be off licence for a minimum of 12 months, and not in crisis yourself 

• You cannot apply to a project if you have been a resident in the same prison yourself 

• A good level of fitness to able to move around a prison at fast past that does include stairs 

• Due to security checks at the prison you must be a British citizen     

• Not committed an offense where you are barred from working with vulnerable adults or children 

• Live within a 30 mile radius from the prison you would like to volunteer at