Vision
To motivate, inspire and encourage young people (with a particular focus on ages 13 to 19) to reach their potential and be ready to play their part in the 21st Century world of work as happy, creative, entrepreneurial and resilient people.
Mission
Affirming and encouraging the ‘Spirit of Mentoring’; with an outcome where young people are guided and equipped to reach their potential, living healthy and balanced lifestyles, within the context of a safe, supportive and secure environment.
Resources
The Mentoring Matters material has been developed in line with the findings of international and Australasian research about young people, including some of the most recent adolescent brain research. This material will encourage parents, teachers, volunteer adult mentors and anyone working with youth.
Learn about Mentoring Matters
In the 1980’s Robin Cox launched Youth Empowerment Seminars (YES!). In 2017 YES! evolved to Mentoring Matters while keeping the core focus of the self-empowerment of youth supported by mentoring.
Now a trusted one stop site where you can learn proven strategies about creating a youth mentoring program, set up a peer support or peer mentor program, learn more about effective mentor training, understand the highly successful GR8 Mates school-based youth mentoring program, gather many tried and tested tips to promote the spirit of mentoring, find proven tried and tested resources put together after years of research, access Robin’s free 260 Mentoring Minutes Podcast episodes – a collation of years of research about youth, youth mentoring, adolescent brain research, teaching and coaching – and explore some leading global mentoring and youth related organizations on Robin’s Links page.
RECEIVE YOUR FREE COPY OF ROBIN’S eBOOK, MENTORING MATTERS – TIPS AND IDEAS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME THE BEST THEY CAN BE, BY ENTERING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND PRESSING THE ‘SUBSCRIBE’ BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE. THIS WILL ONLY WORK IF YOU SUBSCRIBE ON A DESKTOP OR LAPTOP (NOT A MOBILE PHONE).
YOU CAN ALSO RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF ROBIN’S 2018 RESEARCH ADVOCATING THE IMPORTANCE OF A VERTICAL TUTORING (MIXED AGE) SYSTEM in SECONDARY/HIGH SCHOOLS: THE 21st CENTURY EDUCATION REVOLUTION – AN EDUCATION FOR LIFE. Placing the family at the heart of the holistic learning journey: Building authentic, effective and meaningful relationships; Building caring communities; Creating the most effective conditions for learning and the support of teachers, students and their families.
Research suggests that deep down most young people would like:
To be cared for (loved)
- They need to feel safe and secure.
- The more they are cared for, the more secure they feel.
- They need to be surrounded by people who care for, appreciate and accept them unconditionally.
- They need the positive influences of peers and adults to encourage them to do their best.
- They need to be encouraged to appreciate that they are more likely to become the best they can be when there are clear rules or boundaries in place (some of which can be negotiated). When they step over these boundaries there will be reasonable consequences.
To be valued
- The more they are valued the more positive self-worth they experience.
- They need to be encouraged to feel they have some control over things that happen to them.
- Empowering them will be proof that they are valued, respected, liked and are regarded as valuable resources.
- They need fun time to interact with peers and adults, which involves the development of social skills.
To know that life has meaning and purpose
- Their lives have significance.
- The more they understand that there is a reason for their existence, the more significant they will feel.
- They need encouragement to explore opportunities within and outside of school to learn and develop new skills and interests.
- They are encouraged to acquire a commitment to learning: academic success and the long-term value of learning will enhance their self-worth as they discover their gifts and talents.
- They need to appreciate and understand how to make the tough decisions and choices; how to cope with new situations.
- They need guidance to develop a positive view of the future.