CARD Mentoring

Unfortunately funding came to an end for the CARD Mentoring part of the CARD PORCH project in 2009. This project is no longer running.  

 C.A.R.D (Closing A Revolving Door) was the name for the Mentoring part of the formerly named CARD PORCH project.  

Mentoring is a one to one relationship in which an individual mentor voluntarily gives time to support and encourage another person (the mentee).

The relationship develops at a time of transition in a person’s life and lasts for a significant and sustained period.

The mentor role is “walking alongside” someone, offering support but not doing
everything for them. It is more than merely befriending.

The aim of the scheme is to assist people in the transition from custody into the community in a way that they are able to lead as stable a lifestyle as possible and reduce their incidence of re-offending.

Mentors

• Volunteers but not amateurs
• Aged 25+ years
• Willing to guide and support another person and assist them to remove any barriers to learning
• Committed to training, development and adherence to quality standards
• Ordinary people from the local community
• Not experts!

Commitment

• Training - 10 four hour sessions plus some assignments.
• Mentoring - 2-3 hours each week.
• Regular supervision

Training and Support

All mentors will receive accredited training in order to increase their confidence and to ensure that they operate effectively and understand that they are part of a larger, professionally run organisation within the CARD PORCH project.

Support will be maintained by the Mentoring Co-ordinator who will arrange training, match clients with mentors, and provide supervision and ongoing training.

The training course will usually be over 10 weeks, and provided in partnership with Exeter Council for Voluntary Service, Exeter College and Open College Network South West.

The Beneficiaries:

The Mentor

• Training with accreditation
• Personal and career development
• Involvement in a worthwhile community project

The Mentee

• A trusting relationship
• A gateway to increase self esteem, personal development and remove barriers to learning
• An opportunity to break a cycle of crime and re-settle within the local community