December Newsletter

The Futures Looking Bright
Since the start of the Cheshire Mentoring Project a number of young people have accessed the service, enabling their ability to play a full part in their local communities.
Due to the dedication of our Mentors Toc H Cheshire Mentoring Project have been able to take over a drop in facility, run in partnership with Social Services. This has proven a valuable source for peer mentoring to take place through the support and guidance of our Mentors.
Other success stories Include one young person completing The Princes Trust 12 week volunteering programme, 5 young people going into full time employment and a service level agreement within a local Young Offenders Institute.
Jenny Banks, Director of Toc H inTOuCH programmes, says; “Having an older friend to help map a way forward can be vital to many young people. From working closely with young people we recognised that what was often missing was a friend who could help them through a crisis in their lives. It brings in a support network that some people just don’t have through parents or a family network”
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Alex Takes a Step in the Right Direction...
17 year old Alex Keane from Wilmslow entered Toc H Cheshire Mentoring Project just over 7 months ago. Over that time he has successfully gone on to complete The Princes Trust 12 Week Volunteer Programme. Concluding this he has gained the confidence to enter fulltime employment. ..
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Alex on his achievements, and wish him well in the future.
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Helsby Drop-In Proves a Success.....

Project Coordinator Alison Lamb along with local Councillor Terry O’Neil battled the odds to open a drop in facility in the rural village of Helsby.
The problem of a venue was quickly sorted when The Landlords of The Robin Hood offered the use of one of their function rooms, Free of Charge. After close liaising with Frodsham’s Community Action Team Alison and Terry spread the Toc H word and made it their incentive to open a drop in facility for young people. Alison said: “Due to constant arson attacks to the local park the young people have very little to do. I saw the opportunity of opening a drop in a chance to get to know the young people, with a valuable opportunity for peer mentoring to take place.”
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Calling all Volunteer Mentors…………
Toc H Cheshire Mentoring Project is now in full fling of Year 2! The future is looking exiting, with Young People entering the scheme and achieving personal goals. We now aim to become a more established scheme throughout the County.
Project staff are fully aware that there are a number of Volunteers waiting to be matched with a Young Person requiring support. Beginning in January 2005, all mentors will be contacted and hopefully assigned to a young person. In the meantime however, should you have any questions regarding the scheme, please do not hesitate to contact us (contact details below) as we are more than happy to be of assistance.
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Coming in the New Year…
Cheshire Mentoring Games Challenge
The first games Challenge will take place in February 2005 at the Victoria Centre in Crewe. Toc H are working in partnership with
Crewe and Nantwich Council sports Development department and sponsors L & N W R.
Organiser Peter Muirhead said “This event is already generating a huge amount of interest from local companies wishing to take part.”

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If you know anyone who would be interested in becoming a volunteer Mentor or a Young Person who would benefit from a Mentor why not ask them to get in touch with one of the team?

Contact Details:
The Cheshire Mentoring Project,
Castle Court, Nat Lane,
Winsford,
Cheshire,
CW7 3BS

Telephone: 01606 590119
Email: beverly@winsford.charitydays.co.uk