Mentor a Little Londoner today

Give back with The Kids Network by volunteering to become a positive role model for a Little Londoner. Mentoring has never been so important: join us and you’ll be making a difference to a child’s life by helping them build their confidence and resilience, and develop the tools for a positive future.

A mentor and his mentee smiling together

BECOME A MENTOR

We work with children aged 8-11 who could benefit from more social and emotional support, giving them access to positive experiences in their community outside the school setting.

You will be trained to provide safe, fun and engaging mentoring support. Sessions will be weekly and will last 1-3 hours over the course of one year. You’ll focus on the individual needs of the child, supporting them during a crucial stage in their social and emotional development.

Our volunteers come from all over London.

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what it takes

Whether you had a beautiful upbringing and want to support others who aren’t as lucky, or you have lived experience of challenges, we’re sure you appreciate how important it is to have a safe, fun and consistent environment to grow up in.

As a mentor, you can help make sure a child experiences personal support. You can share your learned and lived experiences to help a Little Londoner develop at a critical time in their lives. Our mentors witness the impact that one stable, consistent relationship can have on the life of a young person going through a transitional or unsettled time. Your time and empathy can make a real difference.

We celebrate the fact that our community reflects the breadth of experiences and identities that make London great. London is home to a proud mix of cultures, but that can lead to further isolation for children growing up, as they try to navigate this cultural cross-section and find their place.

This is where you can help.

I’ve learnt just how important it is to be consistent with children and not let them down.

Thanks to him I know I’m a much better teacher and dad.

100%

of our children reported they  had things in common with their mentors

Our children’s identity characteristics inform our mentor recruitment. This means you’ll be uniquely qualified to support your mentee. You understand their challenges, their environment and their reference points. This personalised approach means you can make an impact like no one else.

What you’ll need to give:

60 hours of child-led, one-to-one mentoring in the community

This is a year-long mentoring programme

Interest, listening skills and empathy are key to form a connection

WHAT you get

While mentoring is absolutely about supporting your mentee, our mentors also report a lasting positive impact in their own lives. Those who were feeling lonely, isolated or untethered find themselves with someone who relies upon them, as well as a network of fellow mentors. You’ll experience new things as your mentees guide what you do together, and find yourself growing outside your comfort zone.

Our cohort of mentor volunteers also go on their own journeys through the programme. A majority of our mentors report that mentoring helped them professionally and personally. Many progress their career after taking on all the learning experiences they could.

Mentoring has greatly benefited my mental health as I have another person to look out for and support, but he also supports me!

66%

said the programme helped them improve their communication skills

This is a volunteering opportunity that creates positive ripples through yours and your mentee’s life.

What you’ll get: