Absolutely! We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and life stages. 

Whether you're a student eager to gain experience or you are someone who is recently retired and looking to give back, your unique skills and enthusiasm can make a meaningful difference in the life of a child or young person in York.

All we ask is that you’re able to consistently commit 1–3 hours per week (outside of school hours) over a six month period and share a genuine passion for supporting and uplifting the voices of children and young people.

Each mentoring relationship lasts for up to 6 months or 26 weekly sessions.

We understand that life happens, whether it's holidays or unexpected events. However, to ensure the relationship has time to develop and make a meaningful impact for both the young person and yourself, we ask for a minimum commitment of 26 sessions.

After completing your initial mentoring relationship, you're more than welcome to begin a new mentoring journey with another young person for the same duration.

All mentoring sessions are led by the young person, so you might find yourself doing some pretty fun and unexpected activities! 

Sessions should take place out in the community and be engaging, enjoyable and tailored to the young persons interests and needs. You might go bowling, trampolining, visit museums or simply enjoy crafting or board games in a local café - the possibilities are endless! 

Activities will be planned between yourself as the mentor and the young person you are working with. To help you feel confident and comfortable, our team at The Island will match you with a young person who shares similar interests, hobbies and skills. That way sessions are not only meaningful but also enjoyable for the both of you. 

Mentoring with The Island offers a unique opportunity to connect with your local community and make a meaningful difference to a young person. To help you succeed in this role, you'll receive full support from our dedicated team every step of the way.

You'll be paired with a Mentor Supervisor who will provide personalised one-to-one guidance as well as group support throughout your mentoring journey. From your very first steps, you'll take part in a comprehensive induction programme that covers essential topics such as safeguarding and relationship-building.

In addition, you'll have access to ongoing training opportunities to further develop your skills, plus an out-of-hours duty phoneline for any urgent support you may need.

Yes! We cover both session and travel expenses to ensure mentoring is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Each weekly session includes a budget of £15 for activities, plus up to £7.50 for travel costs. If the full budget isn’t used during a session, the remaining amount can roll over to the following week.

Many mentoring pairs choose to have quieter, low-cost sessions for a week or two to save up for something special, like a trip to a trampoline park or a visit to a museum. This approach helps make the most of your time together while staying within budget.

Young people may be referred for mentoring for a wide range of reasons, often linked to challenges they’re facing in their personal, social, or educational lives.

Some may be experiencing difficulties with learning, behaviour, or physical health, while others may come from large or complex family situations. Economic circumstance, social isolation, and being a young carer can also have a significant impact on a young person’s wellbeing and development.

Educational barriers such as school avoidance or learning difficulties are also common, and mentoring can provide a consistent, supportive relationship to help them re-engage at school.

Ultimately, mentoring offers a safe space for young people to feel heard and valued, helping them build confidence and resilience for the future.

The process to become a mentor with The Island is straightforward and designed to ensure you're fully supported from the very start.

Once your application is received you'll be invited to to complete our free training, designed to cover everything you need to know to begin your mentoring journey. There are two online modules and one in person session.

After training, we’ll complete reference and DBS checks and you’ll be matched with a child or young person in York and your mentoring journey can begin!

The time it takes to complete the process depends on availability for training and the time for DBS and reference checks to come back to us. We will always aim to complete the process as quickly as possible and will stay in touch with you through each step of the journey. 

Absolutely!

You’ll receive full training and ongoing support from our in-house Mentor Supervisors and the wider Mentoring Service team.

Before you begin mentoring, you’ll complete three training modules:

• Part One: An online video introducing you to The Island, who we are, what we do, and how mentoring makes a difference.
• Part Two: An online video focused on working with children and young people, including safeguarding and communication tips.
• Part Three: An in-person training session where you’ll meet the team, connect with other mentors also starting their journey, and have the chance to ask any questions you may have.