APAC mentor
Category: Volunteers
I became a volunteer mentor with the APAC project (Assisting People And Communities) about 8 months ago. I am matched with a 24 year old female who has alcohol and drugs addictions, she currently lives in a hostel having been excluded from her local community because of her anti-social behaviour. She has also lost her tenancy with the Housing Executive.
Staff in the APAC team have been working with this young woman to address her addictions and are trying to secure a place in a Rehabilitation Centre. I meet with my APAC participant once a week for a few hours and together we set simple goals for the next week and discuss how the past week has been.
She finds it hard to go outside the hostel and has difficulty trusting people and maintaining friendships, but she seems reassured that I am around for her. I think I have been able to provide some consistency for the young woman and she is starting to make progress and move forward with her life.
I attended induction training before I was matched, which prepared me for some of the situations I might face. The support I have received has been great and my supervisor is regularly in contact by telephone, especially at the beginning of the match when I needed a bit more guidance and advice.