Community Mentor

Job Description:
We are looking for Community Mentors to spend two weeks in summer 2013 and four weekends in September supporting teams of young people, working in the local community in London, Surrey, West Midlands or North West England.

The Community Mentor is responsible for facilitating the curriculum activities and group work by supporting teams of young people through the community focused part of The Challenge programme. The role has two parts: during the Real Challenge, the Community Mentor accompanies the teams on visits to a local business and charity, and leads the planning sessions to allow young people to develop a series of voluntary projects for their own community. Then, during the Real Challenge Action weekends, the Community Mentor leads the teams in the delivery of their voluntary projects.

We are looking for passionate individuals with an interest in young people and community action who are ready for a demanding role as part of an intensive summer programme. This is a wholly non-residential role, working alongside two teams of young people in their local areas.

This role is suitable for a dynamic and confident person with experience of leading groups of young people, who is able to motivate them and command their respect.

About the Opportunity:
The Community Mentor works with two teams of young people, as part of The Real Challenge Design. Then,
in September, the Community Mentor works on the Real Challenge Action, working with the same two teams (one on Saturdays and one on Sundays) over four weekends to deliver a series of sponsorship, campaigning and social action projects.

The Real Challenge Design lasts for four days. There are twelve possible work dates: 7-10 July, 10-13 July, 15-18 July, 22-25 July, 28-31 July, 31 July - 3 August, 5-8 August, 11-14 August, 18-21 August, 21-24 August, 27-30 August and 29 August - 1 September. The Community Mentor takes part in two combinations of work dates, working with two teams of young people.

The Real Challenge Action takes place on 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 and 28-29 September 2013. The Community Mentor must attend all eight of these dates.

The Community Mentor commutes from home during The Real Challenge programme. Lunch is provided during The Real Challenge Design. The Community Mentor works with the Senior Mentor to inspire and develop two teams of twelve sixteen-year-olds through the Real Challenge. The Community Mentor reports to the Programme Leader.

The Community Mentor will:

• Lead the curriculum activities during the Real Challenge Design supporting the twelve young people to develop voluntary projects.
• Work with a Senior Mentor by supporting the personal development of two teams of twelve participants each; ensuring their safety and assisting their well-being.
• Lead the two teams over four consecutive weekends in September as they prepare and deliver their project to bring the community together.

Requirements:
Candidates must demonstrate the following skills and characteristics:

Essential:
• Ability to motivate and command respect of a group of twelve young people and to act as sole mentor
• The ability to listen to others and help them reflect on their own thoughts and feelings
• Energy and enthusiasm to serve as a role model for a diverse group of young people
• The persistence and flexibility to thrive in a fluid and demanding environment.
• Experience in leading and facilitating groups

Beneficial:
• Experience working directly with young people either in voluntary or paid capacity
• Experience delivering a curriculum or lesson plan

We also look for all employees to show The Challenge characteristics. These are:
• Trust-building: Works hard to build trust with people. Brings people together in the community
• Responsibility-taking: Takes responsibility for actions and attitudes. Claims and solves problems in the community
• Understanding and Empathy: Works to understand others - their strengths, fears and needs. Ready to stand up for someone who is different

All staff who work on The Challenge programme must have prior to starting work a returned enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure dated since 1 September 2012 and two satisfactory references regarding their suitability to work with young people.