Our Coaching and Mentorship Program pairs vulnerable youth with exceptional mentors.
Positive role models who offer guidance, support, and inspiration. As a volunteer Youth Mentor/Coach, you will be matched one-on-one with a young person usually a teen who can benefit from having a reliable adult friend and coach in their life.
This role is all about building a trusting relationship with your mentee through regular meet-ups and conversations, helping them build confidence, set goals, and navigate life’s challenges. We specifically seek mentors who have achieved exceptional things in life or overcome significant challenges, as these experiences enable you to truly inspire and relate to the youth.
By sharing your story and success, you become living proof that obstacles can be overcome and big dreams can be achieved. In short, you will be a caring role model and personal cheerleader for a young person who needs that extra support and perspective to reach their potential.
Key Responsibilities
Relationship-Building: Develop a genuine, positive relationship with your mentee. In the beginning, the focus is on earning trust. Spending time together consistently, showing up when you say you will, and actively listening. You might grab a burger, play sports, explore a hobby, or just hang out and talk.
The goal is for the youth to feel comfortable and valued, knowing they have an adult who truly cares and won’t give up on them. Consistency is key. By being reliable and present, you become a stable figure in their life something many at-risk youth lack.
Coaching & Guidance: Help your mentee set personal goals and work toward them. This might involve encouraging academic effort, discussing career aspirations, practicing a skill, or addressing personal issues like conflict resolution or time management.
As a coach, you are not there to lecture, but to guide them in problem-solving and celebrate progress. You will share your own experiences and lessons learned, tailoring your advice to their situation. For instance, if you have excelled in a sport, art, or profession, you can coach them in that area or use those experiences to teach perseverance and discipline.
If you overcame a tough childhood or made mistakes and turned your life around, those stories can provide hope and practical insight. Your role is as much about listening and asking the right questions as it is giving advice. By being a sounding board, you help the youth find their own answers and build self-confidence.
Role Modelling: Lead by example in your attitude and behaviour. Youth emulate those they admire, so we ask our mentors to demonstrate integrity, resilience, and positivity in their own lives. This does not mean you need to be perfect.
Far from it. It means showing how you handle challenges or stress in a constructive way, treating others with respect, and continuing to pursue growth in your own life. Because you have noteworthy achievements or have conquered adversity, simply sharing that part of yourself can ignite a spark in your mentee.
Perhaps you were the first in your family to go to university, started a business, excelled in the arts, or escaped a life of crime/drugs. Whatever your “exceptional achievement” is, it can serve as a powerful example. Show them what is possible with hard work, patience, and support. We also encourage mentors to expose mentees to new experiences: museums, workplaces, events that broaden their horizons and aspirations.
Emotional Support & Advocacy: Be a non-judgmental ear and source of encouragement. Adolescence can be turbulent, especially for those facing poverty, family issues, discrimination, or mental health struggles. Your mentee might confide in you about difficulties at home or school. Your role is to listen, empathise, and provide steady encouragement.
You will also help them recognise their strengths and build resilience. When they stumble or face setbacks, you will be there to remind them of their progress and encourage them to keep going. If serious issues arise like abuse or severe depression, you are not expected to solve them alone. We have professional support channels and you should alert program staff in such cases. But your understanding and presence can be enough to get them through a rough day. Additionally, you may occasionally advocate for your mentee.
For example, writing a reference, helping them find internship opportunities via your network, or speaking up on their behalf if they are having trouble in a school or community setting. You become part of their support system, and we back you up as part of ours.
Desired Qualities in a Mentor
We have a saying: “Great mentors are forged through great life experiences.” We welcome mentors from all walks of life, especially encourage those who have shown excellence or resilience in their personal or professional journey. Some qualities we consider essential:
Exceptional Life Experience: You have achieved or overcome something remarkable in life. This could mean career success, significant academic or athletic accomplishments, leadership in community or faith groups, or personal triumph over hardship such as escaping a rough neighbourhood, recovering from addiction, surviving trauma, etc.. We find that mentors who have faced challenges and come out stronger have a special credibility and relatability. Your story can inspire a young person to believe, “If they did it, maybe I can too.”
Empathy & Patience: You must be a good listener who can empathise with a young person’s perspective. Mentoring requires patience, as trust and changes don’t happen overnight. Youth may test boundaries to see if you will stick around. By being patient and understanding, yet also consistent in your support you show them they can rely on you. Empathy will help you connect, especially if your mentee’s background is very different from yours.
Positive Attitude & Encouraging Nature: A great mentor sees potential even when a youth cannot see it in themselves. We are looking for people who are encouraging, positive, and solution-focused. That means celebrating small victories, giving praise for effort and improvement, and framing setbacks as learning opportunities. Your optimism can counteract the negativity or hopelessness the youth might feel. At the same time, you should be able to set realistic expectations and help them set achievable goals positivity balanced with practical guidance.
Reliability & Commitment: When you become someone’s mentor, you are making a promise to be there for them consistently. We seek volunteers who can commit to at least 6-12 months of mentoring meeting perhaps weekly or biweekly. Life gets busy, but mentors must prioritise showing up as scheduled or communicating if things change. Being reliable is how you build that all-important trust. If you are only able to commit for a shorter term, let us know. We may be able to accommodate, but consistency is highly valued.
Cultural Humility & Respect: Our youths come from various ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds. You should be open-minded and respectful of differences, and willing to learn from your mentee as well. A sense of humour and humility helps. You are not coming in to “fix” them or act like a superior, but to walk alongside them as a friend and guide. Show respect for their identity, and they will respect yours.
Application Requirements and Process
If you feel called to make a difference as a Youth Mentor/Coach, here’s how to apply:
CV: Provide an overview of your background. This does not need to be a traditional job resume if you are not from a social services field. The main purpose is to understand your experiences and achievements. Be sure to include any volunteer work, coaching, leadership roles, or relevant personal experiences e.g. involvement in youth organisations, clubs, overcoming personal challenges. If you have a particular skill or passion sports, music, tech, etc., mention that too. We try to match mentors and mentees with shared interests when possible.
Cover Letter or Personal Statement: This is your chance to shine beyond the paper credentials. Tell us why you want to be a mentor and what you hope to contribute. We are especially interested in hearing about your life journey. What do you consider your exceptional achievement or defining experiences? How do you think those will help you connect with and guide a young person?
You might share a bit about why you care about supporting youth. For instance, did you have a mentor or wish you had one at that age? Do you see needs in your community that move you? Also, let us know if you have preferences or limitations regarding the youth you’d mentor. For example, if you feel you would work best with a certain age range or gender. We take such preferences into account when matching.
References: Because this role involves direct one-on-one work with a minor, we strongly prefer at least two references who can speak to your character and suitability as a mentor. These could be professional references or personal. If personal, not family members but community leaders, faith leaders, teachers, etc., who know you well. If you have previous experience working with youth or vulnerable groups, a reference from that context is ideal. Please provide their contact information. We will reach out to them as part of the screening.
Screening & Training: All mentor volunteers must pass an enhanced DBS background check required by law for those working with children. We will facilitate this. You will also be invited to an interview or meeting with our mentorship program coordinator. This is not meant to be high-pressure. It is partly for us to know you better and partly for you to ask questions and understand the commitment. We want to ensure that we match you with the right youth and set you both up for success.
Once accepted, you will undergo our Mentor Training, typically a series of evening or weekend workshops. In training, we cover mentoring best practices, communication skills, setting boundaries, safeguarding, youth development basics, and scenario role-plays. You will also hear from experienced mentors about what to expect. By the end, you will feel ready to embark on this journey with confidence.
Program Commitment: As mentioned, we ask for about a 6-12 month commitment if possible, meeting your mentee regularly exact frequency can be negotiated, but consistency is key e.g. an hour or two every week or every other week. We understand life happens, and we will support you through any adjustments, but continuity is important for the youth. We also host group activities and mentor support meetings periodically, which you will be invited to these allowing you to connect with fellow mentors, share experiences, and engage in fun outings with other mentor-mentee pairs.
Volunteer Benefits & Future Prospects: While the Youth Mentor/Coach position is unpaid, the reward is immeasurable. You will directly witness the growth and confidence your guidance can instil in a young person. We provide ongoing support from staff. You are never alone in handling a tough situation and cover any expenses related to mentor activities e.g. tickets to an event for you and your mentee, or simple outing costs within reason.
Many mentors form bonds that last well beyond the formal program. Furthermore, excelling as a mentor could open doors for future roles with our organisation or partners for instance, a paid Youth Worker or Program Coordinator position as opportunities arise. More immediately, we write recommendation letters or serve as references for our standout volunteers. In essence, by helping a youth carve out a better future, you just might be carving a new path for yourself as well.
Ready to Apply? Please send your CV and cover letter for any of the above roles to hr@bmementors.com. Be sure to specify which volunteer position you are applying for. You may apply for more than one if you feel drawn to multiple roles.
If you have questions or want to discuss any role before applying, feel free to contact us at info@bmementors.com We would be happy to chat. Remember, volunteers are the heart of our mission. By joining as a Community Liaison Officer, Resource Link Officer, or Youth Mentor, you will play a pivotal part in transforming young lives and strengthening our community. We look forward to reading your application and potentially welcoming you to our team.
Non-Discrimination Policy: We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or background. What matters to us is your passion and commitment. If you need any accommodations during the application process, please let us know.
Thank you for considering volunteering with us. Together, we can ensure no young person falls through the cracks.