A chance to change lives

MENTORING someone who is going through a difficult time in their life can be challenging but rewarding, according to the coordinator of an Exeter charity project.

Laura Callaway at Transitions, a project of Exeter Community Initiatives, is looking for volunteers who feel they have skills to offer people who have been homeless, faced mental illness or experienced addiction.

She is running a training course for people who would be interested in helping others turn their lives around.

She said: "You don't need any special qualifications - just experience of life and the patience to support someone else who is finding it difficult to cope and need some friendly support."

Volunteer training will take place every Friday morning from January 31 for six weeks.

"I'm particularly interested in recruiting volunteers who can work in the East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge areas as we are branching out into these areas," she added, "although Exeter people are still needed!"

Volunteers need to be able to commit to the initial training and, once matched with a client, around two hours per week. Transport is not required but is an advantage, particularly in rural areas.

The ideal requirements are for someone who is positive, supportive and a good listener and who are able to encourage clients to set goals and take actions for themselves.

Training includes communication skills; housing/accommodation issues; money management; goal setting; finding community resources and safe working practices.

Laura said: "Our clients are people who are going through some kind of transition, such as moving home, coping with a life event, starting work or claiming new benefits.
"We also help people who want to make changes in their lives.

"Often our clients have been homeless, had issues with drugs or alcohol, mental health problems, disability or problems with money."