Stepping Stones, a collaboration between Volunteering Matters and Service Six, launches this Volunteers’ Week in Milton Keynes.
Stepping Stones supports children and young people transition from long-term inpatient mental health stays back into the community, by offering intensive pre- and post-discharge clinical support and a dedicated volunteer mentor for 9-18 months.
Stepping Stones, funded by BLMK Clinical Commissioning Group, and delivered by Volunteering Matters and Service Six, is now seeking a dynamic and diverse pool of volunteer mentors to support our children and young people.
Volunteers are asked to commit, flexibly, to 3 -9 hours per month for a minimum of one year, and will be matched one-to-one with a child or young person.
Volunteers will provide holistic goals focussed mentoring with the aim to reduce re-admission rates, enhance the well-being, and develop skills and support networks for the children and young people.
Volunteers are offered a qualification in Mental Health First Aid, safeguarding and a CPD accredited mentoring qualifications to enhance their impact. We also offer Covid-19 vaccinations and volunteers will be required to have an enhanced DBS check.
Zainab Bundu, Engagement Manager said: “We are very excited to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Service Six and the BLMK CCG, to deliver an innovative solution to the increasing challenges around the mental health and well-being of children and young people.
"The need is especially great now as we encounter the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic which has had a significant adverse effect on children and young people’s mental health. We are keen to explore partnership across Milton Keynes to develop opportunities for those we help.”
Tracy Leicester, Engagement Manager said: “Recruitment and training of our first cohort of volunteers is underway to get them ready to be matched with the young people we are supporting.
"We are keen to hear from anyone with lived experience of mental ill-health or an interest in wellbeing and improving the lives of children and young people, to become a Stepping Stones volunteer mentor.”
To find out more, to volunteer, and, to explore ways to collaborate please contact us on 01908 670309 or miltonkeynes@volunteeringmatters.org.uk @volunteering_uk
