“The year we had together did us both such good”

Mentoring, Advocacy and Peer Support (MAPS) volunteers offer young people a safe space to talk and be listened to. Elaine, a MAPS volunteer for four years, has witnessed young people growing in confidence, independence and hope thanks to this support.

“It provides young people with an opportunity to talk about any issues, or to just have a chat,” said Elaine. “It doesn’t take up a huge amount of my time but it makes a big difference to the young people I mentor.”

Fellow MAPS mentor Sue has found the experience very rewarding and fun:

“I really enjoy working with young people - they make me laugh. I could see a change in the young person I mentored over the course of our year together. I think I brought some calm and organisation to what was perhaps quite a chaotic life for them.”

“My young person and I did all sorts of things, usually going for a weekly coffee but then also trips out to London. The year we had together was very successful and did us both such good.”

The MAPS programme is run by Volunteer Centre Sutton, who provide volunteers with full training and ongoing support throughout the year. “I received two days of excellent training, I was really impressed with it and how much it covered. It certainly gave me the confidence to go ahead with the scheme,” said Sue. 

Elaine and Sue are both now becoming Buddy volunteers to support our newly migrated residents from Hong Kong to Sutton through the Integrating Sutton Programme.  

For Elaine, this is a great opportunity to share her local knowledge. “It's hard for people who have only just arrived,” says Elaine. “If I can help them settle in quicker and integrate into the community then I am happy to help.”

Funding from the Sutton Council Covid Rebuild Fund has supported the Volunteer Centre Sutton to deliver the MAPS programme.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering as a MAPS mentor, please contact maps@vcsutton.org.uk. The next round of training for MAPS mentors is in July 2022 and they are recruiting now.

If you are interested in becoming a Buddy and meeting our newly-migrated residents once a week, to show them around the local area, offer advice, give recommendations or simply just to chat and catch up, please get in touch with Amelia Storey at ameliastorey@vcsutton.org.uk.