SPARX MENTORING

“Mentoring concerns activities that give people the tools and confidence to take control of their own pathway. It is about empowering people to plan their own future and capitalize on their own potential”

Scottish Mentoring Network, 2007

WHAT IS SPARX??

SPARX is about connecting LGBT young people to safe, positive, adult mentors from the community…. Mentors are understanding adults who can help young people to explore questions about their identity, sexuality and community.  Mentors provide support, encouragement and a non-judgemental listening ear to talk about anything and everything going on in a young person’s life – this might be family, school, friends, relationships, work etc.

WHERE DID SPARX COME FROM?

LGBT young people have expressed a lack of relevant role models with whom they can positively identify.  Historically, adults from local communities have not been actively involved in providing support for young people who are growing up with the challenges of being LGB or T.  Both young people and adults have made it clear that they would like to be supported to develop intergenerational links and find these connections in a safe and supportive way.

This project has involved input from members of LGBT communities and local mixed communities, both young people and adults as well as from organisations that provide similar services in the mainstream social sector.

DEFINITION OF MENTORING

There are so many definitions of mentoring, as it can mean different things to different people.  LGBT Youth Scotland have chosen to adopt the definition by the European Community, cited by Scottish Mentoring Network:

“Mentoring concerns activities that give people the tools and confidence to take control of their own pathway. It is about empowering people to plan their own future and capitalize on their own potential”

LGBT Youth Scotland is committed to establishing a group of informed and dedicated adults who will make themselves available in a variety of context to act as listeners and help young people to clarify their life-choices within the context of their sexual/gender identity.  LGBT Youth Scotland may offer both face to face mentoring and e-mentoring, using email as a means to support young people in rural areas.

WHERE AND HOW DOES MENTORING TAKE PLACE?

LGBT Youth Scotland will match a young person with a safe, screened adult in a one to one relationship.  Matches are based on the needs of the young person and shared values and interests.  Mentors and young people spend time together on a regular basis (once a week or so) to:

·         Meet at a coffee shop/juice bar to hang out and chat

·         Go to a movie or a community event

·         Explore the city, see an exhibition

·         Go for a walk

·         Celebrate a birthday or holiday

"Being queer and having people who really understand that...it's having that connection that makes me feel even better about who I am and what I've accomplished in my life" (young person from a mentoring project in Canada)

WHO ARE THE MENTORS?

Mentors can be any adult aged 26 or over, they may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or heterosexual;  all the mentors must be LGBT-positive adults.  Mentors come from a diversity of backgrounds and have varied life experiences, interests and skills. All mentors undergo a thorough induction, training and screening process before they are accepted into the program. Mentors must agree to abide by program policies that clearly outline their role and responsibilities.

The training usually takes place over a weekend, mentors will be invited to a residential with experienced youth workers, community development workers and mentoring specialists.  The training covers areas such as Child Protection, Basic Counselling Skills, Health & Safety and current LGBT youth theories.

Check out our events and news pages for the dates of training or information nights. 

WHO ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE?

The young people that mentors will be matched with are 14-25 year olds who do or who may identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender.  The young people come from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs and personal situations.  Some of the young people might have told family and friends about their identities, but some may not have.  It is up to the young person when the tell friends and family about their feelings, SPARX mentoring program is open to young people from different personal situations.

If you want more information, you can always call us and find out more - if it is easier, you can ask a friend, family member or support worker to give us a call.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

If you are an adult 26 years or older who is interested in becoming a mentor, please contact the program co-ordinator at info@lgbtyouth.org.uk to begin the orientation and screening process. 

If you are 14-25 years old and interested in exploring the possibility of being matched with a mentor, contact the program co-ordinator at info@lgbtyouth.org.uk and arrange to meet with them. After that, you can decide if you want to go ahead or not. If you prefer, someone who knows you can make the initial call.