Could you be a mentor for young people aged 5-18 to help them improve their mental health? Would working with a young person out in the community appeal to you? This permanent, term-time Therapeutic Mentor opportunity could be for you
The Platform Project is an innovative social enterprise dedicated to empowering young people with the skills, confidence, and experience they need to build a sustainable future. Working closely with local authorities, education institutes and local employers, our unique concept of a 'training workplace' bridges the gap between education and employment.
Due to the continued growth of the programme, we are expanding our therapeutic mentoring programme and are looking to increase our team of mentors to help improve the mental health of more young people (typically aged 5-18) across Swindon and the surrounding areas.
Key Benefits of This Role:
* Real variety - every day is different, working in the community rather than stuck in an office
* Meaningful impact - see direct, tangible changes in young people's lives over the 6-12 month mentoring period
* Ongoing support - full training, monthly supervision, and access to organisational resources including email and Teams
* Term-time only - enjoy the school holidays off to pursue your own interests, spend time with family, or take on other projects (Salary paid across the year)
* Flexible hours across Monday-Friday during office hours
You'll report to our Mentoring Manager and receive comprehensive training, supervision and ongoing support throughout your role.
As a Therapeutic Mentor at The Platform Project, you'll be responsible for:
* Providing 1:1 mentoring for young people typically aged 5-18, focusing on those referred from Swindon and surrounding areas.
* Meeting weekly with your mentees, helping them articulate and discuss their challenges and goals.
* Supporting young people to process their experiences and develop emotional awareness and behavioural responses.
* Handling young people's emotional challenges with empathy and clear boundaries.
* Updating our student tracker system with key activities, observations, and progress after every session.
We would love to hear from you if you have the following:
* A strong sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
* The ability to be fun, patient, flexible, and supportive while holding firm boundaries.
* A solid commitment to working with young people with diverse needs and backgrounds.
* Strong relationship and rapport-building skills with a range of stakeholders.
* A deep understanding of safeguarding and risk management while working with vulnerable young people.
* Full driving lesson and car to enable you to take young people out into the community for 1:1 sessions.
The role:
As a mentor, you would work 1:1 with a young person on a weekly basis for a period of 6-12 months (dependant on need) to form trusting relationships whilst taking them out into the community to undertake a range of activities. Sessions are guided by the young person's interests and might include sports activities, outdoor adventures, visits to places of interest, practical skills workshops, or simply hanging out and talking over a coffee or while walking. The sessions are therapeutic in approach but are not therapy sessions - instead, you'll be providing beneficial real-world experiences whilst conversationally developing their self-awareness, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
How to Apply:
If this sounds like the ideal role for you, please submit your CV. Following an initial review, candidates progressing to the next stage will be invited to complete an application form. Alternatively, you can contact The Platform Project to find out more.
The Platform Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children and young people. The appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check (including a check against the Children's Barred List) and satisfactory references.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £15.00 per hour
Expected hours: 12 – 27.5 per week
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Company events
* Free parking
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person