The SMASH Youth Project
The main role of the SMASH Youth Project is to offer an intensive long term mentoring relationship (meeting a minimum of 3 hours on a weekly basis over a minimum of 12 months) to any disadvantaged vulnerable young person aged 13-18 years old.
The Project recruits and trains volunteers from the Community to become volunteer mentors. Due to the intensity and the issues surrounding the young people and their families the volunteer mentors are actively supported by Project workers who arrange support/supervision sessions to advise, encourage and review the progress against the specific personal goals set by the individual young people.
Referrals are received from 26 different partner organisations from professionals who, for a range of reasons, are concerned for the safety and the vulnerability of the young person they have referred. Many of the young people referred are on the ‘young person at risk’ register so project staff and, where possible, the volunteer mentor, due to their unique role, are invited to attend review meetings and protection conferences called by the statutory services. Long term mentoring is complemented by meaningful group work projects that provide learning and personal development opportunities that young people have not been able to access.
Contact name
Robert Chappell - Project Manager
Address
The Link Centre Whitehill Way
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN5 7DL
Tel
01793 879297
Fax
01793 879297
Email
smash.yproject@swindon.gov.uk
Web
http://www.smash-youth-project.co.uk