The Gippsland Engaged Mentoring (GEM) program has operated across East Gippsland since 2002. The program engages with young people in Orbost, Lakes Entrance, Swifts Creek and Bairnsdale. Young people who may be ‘at risk’ of disengagement from school or community are connected with adult volunteer mentors who provide friendship, support and conversation for one hour per week.
The aims of the program are to:
- Increase self-esteem and confidence
- Improve relationships with peers and family
- Reduce feelings of isolation and support a sense of belonging
- Promote connectedness within local communities
- Improve school retention and attendance.
Becoming a mentor
Mentors come from all walks of life, and bring an enormous variety of life experiences with them to the mentoring program. The GEM Staff provide extensive training and support for volunteers and take care in matching young people with mentors who have similar interests.
Referring young people to the program.
Partner schools and participating referring organisation are invited to refer young people to the program. Mentees are aged between 10 and 24 and must fulfil program criteria. Please contact Workways for more information about referring a young person to the program.
Partner Organisations
The GEM Program is proud to be supported by a number of organisations who enable their staff to participate in mentoring activities during work hours. These organisations include East Gippsland Water; East Gippsland Shire Council; Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning; Parks Victoria; Uniting Australia and Federation Training. We are always open to hearing from other employers who might be interested in participating in the program.
Am I Eligible?
If you can answer yes to the following questions, you may be eligible to be a mentor:
- Are you over 18?
- Do you live or work in or around Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Orbost or Swifts Creek?
- Do you enjoy being around young people?
- Do you have the ability to listen, support and encourage a young person even though their background may be different to your own?
- Do you have interests and or hobbies that you would like to share with a young a person?
- Are you able to commit one hour a week for a minimum of 6 months?
- Are you prepared to commit time to participate in the program training sessions (maximum two days)?
- Are you prepared to apply for a Working With Children Check and undertake a Police Check?
Get Started with Gippsland Engaged Mentoring
For more information on GEM, send us an enquiry.
