New Zealand Youth Mentoring Conference 10th - 11th September 2013

Ellerslie Event Centre, Greenlane East, Auckland

The New Zealand Youth Mentoring Network is pleased to announce registrations are now open for our upcoming biennial National Youth Mentoring Conference to be held at the Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland on the 10th and 11th September 2013.

The conference theme is:  'Building capacity and connections' 

Join with others from the sector to share resources, ideas and approaches at a programme level, and connect policy/research to the ‘real world’ context.  read more

The full conference schedule is currently being finalised and will be published shortly. 

Early bird registrations:  (until 31 July 2013):  $390 plus GST
Standard registrations:  (after 31 July 2013): $420 plus GST

Register on line now. 

Children's Action Plan and promotion of youth mentoring

As part of the Children's Action Plan, Government announced a raft of actions and initiatives to identify, support and protect vulnerable children and young people.  The plan specifically recognises the powerful and and positive influence supportive mentoring relationships can have on the lives of young people.  

Government is encouraging adults to volunteer their time so that more vulnerable young people have the opportunity to benefit from a mentoring relationship with an experienced adult by promoting youth mentoring through existing mentoring programmes.  To date, we are pleased to announce nine mentoring programmes are being promoted as part of this initiative. 

At the same time, Government recognises that looking after the safety of young people is paramount to the effectiveness of youth mentoring relationships. To support this, the Ministry of Health, the lead agency for this Children's Action Plan initiative, has partnered with the New Zealand Youth Mentoring Network to develop safe practices guidelines for providers to review and develop their programmes.

If you are a programme provider, and would like your programme to be part of the promotional campaign, you can register your programme with us.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, you can also register with us.

If you are interested in learning more about the Children's Action Plan, you can visit the action plan website: www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz 

2013 Budget - National Mentoring Programme

In the recent budget Government announced an initiative for a nationwide mentoring scheme, with a total investment of $5.871m over four years.  Application dates and processes are yet to be released, however we understand community groups will be able to appy for funding to provide these services later this year. 

The scheme will:

• follow a community-based model which becomes embedded and where community groups can bid for funding to provide this service
• be closely linked with schools and school practice to ensure that community providers work with learners and support them to achieve educationally
• focus on the Ministry of Education priority groups; Māori, Pasifika, those with special education needs, and those from low socio economic backgrounds
• have approximately 1,500 young people mentored.

We will keep you updated on this initiative as more information is made available.  Here is a link to the relevant announcement on the Ministry of Education primary and secondary school budget initiatives webpage.   read more

MentorPlus - Wellington workshop - book now!

23rd / 24th July

Registrations are now open for our next two day MentorPlus workshop being held in Wellington, 23rd and 24th July.  This workshop is designed for individuals working with young people, who would like to add a mentoring dimension to their role.  At the conclusion of the workshop you will receive your Foundation Certificate in Youth Mentoring in New Zealand. Read more

Register on our website now

MentorPlus (training for mentors) - Auckland 30th April / 1st May

20 attendees from an array of organisations working with young people in the community recently attended our 2 day workshop in Auckland on the 30th April / 1st May.  We are now running our Auckland based courses at the Rose Park Hotel, Parnell.  With a pool right outside the training room, everyone enjoyed paddling their feet during the lunch time break - hard to believe it was only a month ago, with the wintry polar blast we are all experincing now!

Extension of training services

We are pleased to be able to extend our training and support services to provide tailored sessions to meet your organisation's specific needs. 

Kirsty Pillay-Hansen who has recently joined our contracting team ran a session with Genesis Youth Trust and YWCA Hamilton this week. Both organisations are currently developing mentoring programmes to meet their community's needs.  The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive:

'I feel like we have been given good guidelines, timelines and priorities to focus on.  This training has broken down a mammoth task for me and has also helped identify gaps in our existing programmes to address.' Tash Tamiano, Genesis Youth Trust

'I loved the training and facilitation style. Kirsty kept bringing it back to people's examples and personal stories.  The materials covered in the programme are a great resource, really valuable.'  Dean Clarkson, Genesis Youth Trust

'This training has given me more confidence - the top tips I need to implement our new mentoring programme'. Kelsey Lyman, YWCA Hamilton.

If you have specific training and support needs you would like to discuss then please be in contact. 

Don't forget to pass this e-newsletter on to others that work with young people.

Nicki 

Nicki McDonald

General Manager New Zealand Youth Mentoring Network | PO Box 99726 Newmarket
M: 027 520 2981 | W: 09 521 8240
E: nicki@youthmentoring.org.nz | W: www.youthmentoring.org.nz