Y's Girls Mentoring - YMCA Greater Nottingham

Support for young women in Nottinghamshire

Y’s Girls is a national youth programme designed to offer help and support to young women and girls at risk of developing mental health issues.

Working with referrers such as social workers, schools and local police, Y’s Girls connects vulnerable young women aged 9 to 14 with mentors from a range of different backgrounds in Nottinghamshire to offer them support and positively influence their lives.

Made possible due to generous funding by

Update: Recruitment for mentors now open!

Updated: April 2022

We are delighted that after an incredibly successful first year, we have secured funding to extend this brilliant programme.

Recruitment is now open for our next cohort of volunteer mentors. Mentors can be based across Nottingham, and this time we are looking for a number of mentors in Newark-on-Trent too.

Please complete the application form below and return via email asma.iqbal@nottsymca.org.

Download Mentor application form

How does it work?

Mentor Onboarding
Each year, we look to recruit 25 diverse and brilliant volunteer mentors. Mentors will be given all the training and support they need for the programme by our Programme Coordinator, so previous experience isn’t necessary. Applicants will be DBS checked and paired with mentees based on suitability.

Meet & Greet
Mentors will have the chance to meet their mentee (usually at their family home), alongside our Programme Coordinator. This gives everyone a great chance to get to know each other, including the mentee’s parents or carers.

Mentor Activities
For the first 12 weeks, mentors and mentees meet for around two hours each week, gradually becoming less frequent over the year. Activities are relaxed and enjoyable, with expenses covered by the programme.

Social & Support Events
Throughout the year, the Programme Coordinator will organise sessions and for mentors to get to know each other and share support, be it as a group or 1-2-1. We will also be hosting mentee events, where both mentors and mentees will have the opportunity to come along and have some fun.

Resources for Mentors

Mentors will receive a pack of all the information they need during Y’s Girls onboarding and training. Below are some useful links to support you in your mentoring journey. If you need anything else, please contact the Programme Coordinator.

DOWNLOAD ROLE DESCRIPTION

SUBMIT WEEKLY ACTIVITY FORM

Make Me Roar Fundraiser – May 2022

Images from the ‘Roar’ comedy fundraising event hosted at YMCA Front Room @ Malt Cross featuring an all women line-up of comedians. Through ticket sales and a raffle, an incredible £1150 was raised in support of our Y’s Girls programme. Click any image to see the full gallery.