FAQ

A: Doors to Mentors is a community driven mentoring program which supports young people (aged 15-24) in the Central Coast to identify and achieve their aspirations.

A: A mentor is anyone who can use their experience to provide guidance and support to another. Mentors listen, observe and make suggestions (but only when asked to do so). For the Doors to Mentors program, our mentors use their experiences with education and varied careers to share information, contacts and opportunities with young people participating in the program (mentees). In the Doors to Mentors Program, all our mentors are volunteers, working and/or living in the Central Coast region.

A: A mentee is any young person living in the Central Coast (aged 15 to 24) participating in the program, looking for or connected with a volunteer mentor to explore future aspirations.

A: Yes! It is free to join the program as a volunteer mentor or mentee. Some activities that you may do with your mentor or mentee may have a cost, such as going for a coffee. This is optional, there is no requirement to participate in any activity that costs. If mentees and mentors both choose to participate in activities with an associated cost, we ask that both mentee and mentor pay their own way.

A: Mentoring works best when connections meet regularly. We ask that mentors meet with their mentees for 1 hour per week. Discussions can be had with Program staff if schedules of both the mentee and mentor require an alternative.

A: Mentoring is for everyone. With Doors to Mentors, the program is open to all young people, aged 15-24 who live in the Central Coast, exploring any future opportunity. Note: this is not a specific program for ‘disengaged’ or ‘at risk’ young people – its for all young people!

A: Generally, mentoring occurs face to face. Location can vary, for example: at school or out in the community. There is also an option for some of the mentoring to take place online via the Doors to Mentors Website (secure video conferencing and chat function. Access provided on approval to mentors and mentees).

A: There are many benefits for both mentees and mentors. Benefits may include: • Connections to new people in the community • Learning new skills • Opportunities to participate in activities that increase work skills and/or social skills • Increase in confidence

A: The Doors to Mentors Program is bigger than just our mentees, mentors and program staff. The Doors to Mentors Action Group includes members of the Central Coast community including schools and students, businesses and community services and organisations. The Action Group allows us to harness services and opportunities through these connections, that we can make available to young people participating in the program.

A: Once connected with your mentee or mentor, we ask that regular meetings occur for a period of one year. There is flexibility with this, and some mentees and mentors may decide together to exit the mentoring process.

A: We recommend that mentors are at least 21 years old. Suitability and appropriate mentee matching for younger mentors will be determined by program staff.

A: there are many things that make a good mentor, including, but not limited to: • A good listener • Someone who is open to sharing their experiences of education, training, and the workplace • Anyone who is keen to engage with young people and their community, to support young people with the opportunities available to them • A supportive person • Someone who is willing to walk beside a young person – rather than lead the way

A: Prior to being matched with a mentee, all mentors must: * Complete a one day mentor training program (provided at no cost to participants). * Provide evidence of a current Tasmanian Working with Vulnerable People Registration. * Provide two referees for program staff to confirm suitability.

A: The Doors to Mentors program has strict policies in place to ensure that privacy and confidentiality is upheld. The Doors to Mentors program only collect information that is needed to coordinate the program safely -such as emergency contact phone numbers. This information is stored securely and can only be accessed by program staff. Personal information is never released to your mentee or mentor.