Southland: THE BUDDY PROGRAMME

A Mentoring Programme for Children

The Buddy Programme is a mentoring programme for children aged 4 to 12 years whose life circumstances indicate the need for extra adult support.

The programme contributes to the emotional and social wellbeing of Southland children by matching them with carefully selected and trained adult volunteers in a well-supported befriending relationship.

THE AIMS

• Friendship, support, guidance and encouragement

• Increase children's self esteem

• Develop social skills and help children make positive choices

• Opportunities for new social experiences and different activities

• Fun and happiness

BIG BUDDIES ARE:

• Friends who are there to listen, support and encourage their Little Buddy

• People to hang out and have fun with

• Adults aged 18 years and over

• Women and men from varied backgrounds of life experiences

• Adult role models who can provide a healthy adult/child relationship

LITTLE BUDDIES ARE

• Children between 4 and 12 years of age

• Children whose life circumstances indicate the need for additional adult support

• Children who need extra help coping with or fitting into their home, school or community

• Referred from a variety of sources, such as social workers, public health nurses, teachers, psychologists, and by their own family

BUDDY TRAINING

• Prospective Big Buddies attend an initial training course covering communication skills, how to build a friendship with a child, and family dynamics

• Acceptance into the Buddy Programme at the end of the training depends on the outcome of a police check, references, a home visit and an interview

• Once approved, Big Buddies will be matched with a Little Buddy

• Ongoing training and supervision are provided

Mentoring:  What is it?

''Mentoring... a sustained relationship between a young person and an adult in which the adult provides the young person with support,  guidance and assistance. The very foundation of mentoring is the idea that if caring concerned adults are available to young people, youth will be more likely to become successful adults themselves.''

(Jekielek, Moore, Hair & Scarupa 2000)

 

FAQ for adults interested in becoming Big Buddies

Q: How long are you a Big Buddy? Does the relationship end when the children reach a certain age?
A: The relationship can last as long as the Big Buddy and Little Buddy wish it to and is based on a process of review.  When you join the programme we ask that wherever possible you commit to the programme for at least a year.

Q: What are the reasons the children are in the Buddy Programme?
A: The children have been referred to the buddy programme for a variety of reasons. Primarily it has been identified that they do not have enough adult input in their lives.

Q: I am single and don't have much experience with children. Can I be a Buddy?
A: Being single does not exclude you from the buddy programme. We provide training and on going support and believe that people bring their own experiences to the programme.

Q: I would like to become a Big Buddy but I am short on funds. Is it expected that I will spend money on the child?
A: Big Buddies and Little Buddies are encouraged to spend the time together on everyday activities that are of little or no cost. The programme works because of the relationship, not the number of special treats the Big Buddy provides.

You can contact your local Co-ordinator to become a Big Buddy or enrol a child in the programme.
Click your nearest centre below:

INVERCARGILL

QUEENSTOWN

GORE