Helping navigate life’s challenges AnglicareSA’s Mentoring Program has a significant impact on the lives of young people in care, providing crucial support and guidance as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions.

Inspired by the positive mentors in her own life, community mentor Belinda, co-founder of Tredwell Management – a consultancy specialising in delivering sport, recreation, and open space solutions – said she was looking for an opportunity to give back.

“I’ve always been someone to look at things that have happened throughout my life and the positive aspects,” Belinda said. “I’ve got to a certain point with my own children finishing school and thought that I’d had some good mentors over the years, which I really valued.

“So I looked for opportunities to be able to get into that.”

AnglicareSA’s Mentoring Program matches community mentors with a young person in care to support them in developing life skills and achieving specific goals.

The mentor role involves spending three hours a week with a young person, creating activity plans, organising and facilitating activity sessions, and providing case notes.

Belinda works two nights a week as a mentor to two separate girls, one aged 11 and the other 13, developing a one-on-one connection to foster skills development, build confidence, and offer a consistent presence for those who may have busy family lives.

“Life doesn’t come with a roadmap, and having someone to walk alongside young people can make a significant difference, whether it’s celebrating successes or navigating difficult times,” she said.

“With the 11-year-old, our focus together is on developing essential social skills needed for the transition to high school, including practical skills like using public transport and self-service checkouts at the supermarket, as well as understanding social interactions.

“We also do fun activities like attending the Fringe, visiting the giant wheel at Glenelg, and playing games to help build rapport and create positive experiences.”

 

 

Health challenges are a focus for her 13-year-old mentee, in particular the daily management of her diabetes.

Belinda supports her by building her confidence in problem solving skills related to her health, such as proactively managing her insulin pump and developing positive routines for managing her diabetes across different environments.

“So, we might go to an escape room, where we work together to solve challenges and build strategies to move through each step.

“Or if we encounter roadblocks in life, we focus on finding solutions and setting up supportive systems, like reminders or notes on her phone, to help her stay organised and empowered.

“When I look back at all the people I had in my life who provided support – whether that be coaches, teachers, family, or friends – that happened quite naturally for me.

“I don’t think everybody has the luxury of having people around them organically, and I think a mentor provides that.

“It’s about providing support to someone and walking alongside them so that they can fulfil all of the excitement and experience all those things in a really supported and structured manner.”

AnglicareSA’s Mentoring Program is run with the support of the Department of Education and the Department for Child Protection across metropolitan Adelaide and surrounding areas, including the Barossa Valley and Victor Harbor.

Community service mentors are paid for their time and undergo a screening and recruitment process, including a Working With Children Check and National Police Check, in order to work with children and young people.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor and having a positive impact on the life of a young person in care, please contact AnglicareSA via mentoring@anglicaresa.com.au