Peer to Peer Motivators
The PEER TO PEER MOTIVATORS PROJECT ran from April 2008 until March 2009. The project offered a vital layer of support for NEET young people. Older young people (Peer Motivators) were trained to act as role models and strategic guides to help young people identify what real or imagined barriers have made them NEET (not in employment, education and training) and support them to find ways to access opportunities.
PEER MOTIVATORS
The project recruited 20 young volunteers aged 19-25 to work as PEER MOTIVATORS. 10 were recruited in the North East (Newcastle) and another 10 were recruited in the South East (Southampton). The Peer Motivators related to the young people well as they had a genuine understanding of relevant issues.
The training consisted of 6 specially commissioned courses: Peer Motivation/ Peer support/ Child protection and Safeguarding/ Guidance and Signposting/ Behaviour Management/ Careers and Life planning. This equipped them with a wide range of skills enabling them to work with NEET young people (aged 16-19).
With support from the Regional Coordinators (Lesley Wood in the North East and Jenna Boyce in the South East), the Peer Motivators worked in pairs to deliver weekly/fortnightly ‘drop-in’ sessions within various agency settings.
The Peer Motivators acted as mentors to other young people and took on a great deal of responsibility. Therefore, it was essential that volunteers were committed, motivated and enthusiastic within their role.
For more information about this project, please contact Jenna Boyce, Peer to Peer Motivators Co-ordinator via: peertopeer@artswork.org.uk
