We are very pleased to anounce that on 1st August 2007, we were awarded Approved Provider Status by the National Mentoring & Befriending Foundation. This award is acknowledged by the Home Office and the Department for Children, Young People and Families as achieving an approved standard in all aspects of mentoring provision. Thanks go to Pete and Cindy for their support in achieving this award but mainly to you, our volunteer mentors who make such a differance to children, young people and families - Thank You!
I am looking to recruit 'Motivated Mentors' for the next Induction course which has yet to be arranged.
Please pass the word around to your family, friends and work colleagues. I particularly need more males to volunteer - although, of course it must be said that you ladies do a Superb job. Tell the men in your lives to get up off their backsides, stop watching football on TV, or going to the pub every night and become a volunteer. Research shows that Volunteering is good for the soul - those that partake live longer, are healthier and find a purpose in their lives - how GOOD is that!
Please watch this space for future training courses.
Elaine has been a volunteer for 12 months and has worked on both the YOT and Springboard projects. She provides excellent support to the young people she mentors.
1) Favourite Person - In the political world I would say Mo Mowlam for being a very strong and brave character especially during her illness. In the football world it has to be Zinadine Zidane, purely because he is "sex on legs"! Also in sport is Ben Cohen for the same reasons as ZZ. In the film world it is Tom Crusie for his cute smile (see fav film below). TV personality is Dermot O'Leary.
2) Favourite Place - I recently visited the Rockies in Canada and they were amazing. Although the Lakes are still another of my favourite places they are mole hills in comparison to the Rockies! Unless you visit them it is very hard to understand the perspective of the vast mountain range.
3) Favourite Book - I didn't really want to put this as my favourite as nearly everyone has read it now but the "Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown was thrilling to read on the basis that I was brought up a catholic and even though it's a story ( or is it?) it questions your whole belief and what was indoctrinated in you as a child! I am an avid reader and like mainly crime stories or biographies/autobiographies.
4) Favourite Film - I am not a massive film buff but recently watched Blood Diamond which was allegedly based on a true story about the diamond mines in Africa and how they go about mining and then selling them on for what is reported as blood money!! This is really cheesy but my all time favourite film is Top Gun and second is Dusk til Dawn which is very weird but entertaining.
5) Favourite Music - How on earth can you decide this as it's a mood thing! I have a very varied taste but have always had a fancy for Bryan Ferry (for those who are over 21..hehe). I like a lot of the indie bands that are around now and have seen many concerts from New Order to Kylie, Alanis Morrisette, Eurythmics, quite a lot of the "new wave" 80s bands and I have tickets for "Take That" at Christmas so all reasonable high value offers for them may be considered! J
6) Favourite Drink - If it's Friday night and the end of the week any alcoholic drink will be greatly received but my usual tipple is Bacardi and diet coke, as the diet makes all the difference! Double preferably!
7) Favourite Football Club - Well that has to be the boys in red at Anfield. I have supported them since I was 14 (which was not that long ago in giant turtle terms!) and I can still name most of the team from the 70s. How sad is that! Not forgetting super sub David Fairclough
8) Favourite Holiday - I would go along with the previous mentors of the month Gavin & Samantha and say Cornwall and Devon are beautiful places to go on holiday, especially if you have children, there are lots of fun things for them to do but it is equally a place to visit as a couple and even on your own if you fancy a guided tour. It is so diverse compared to our own holiday town!
9) Favourite Day/Night Trip - It has to be Manchester. Great rail links or motorway network if you don't mind driving. It is good for shopping for all you girlies out there and fantastic for nights out as it has so much to offer from every type of eating establishment, to theatres, museums, cinemas, pubs, clubs and many different areas within the city to see. If you ever eat there I would recommend a place called Panama Hattys on Brown Street, quite central. If you ever get the chance to go posh, try the Midland Hotel or The Radisson Edwardian.
10) Favourite Food - Has to be Indian especially if it's a take away! But generally I like most food (that's why I am NOT a size 8) although I don't profess to be the greatest cook in the world I quite like my own beef stew & dumplings!
Well done Elaine and keep up the good work!