The Buddy Network is a befriending project for young people across North Yorkshire.
The aim of the project is to support 14-19 yr olds by helping them to gain confidence, meet their goals and reach independence.
Referrals are taken from a range of services providing formal support to young people. A volunteer buddy will develop a relationship with a young person once that young person has moved on from the formal service. A Buddy will meet with a young person for around 1 hour a week, or whatever contact is needed.
Together, the buddy and young person (and referring worker in some instances) will develop a befriending agreement and identify progression routes and goals. The buddy and young person will meet regularly for a period of approximately 6 months. Meetings will follow a simple framework to allow progression and reflection.
• Excellent Listening skills
• First-rate interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to engage young people
• Ability to encourage strengths and challenge weaknesses
• Commitment to personal development
• Patience
• Reliable
• Non-Judgemental
• Enthusiastic and positive
• Persistence
• Awareness of issues facing young people
• Life experience
• Flexibility to work evenings and/or weekends where necessary
Buddies will meet young people for around 1 hour a week but this will be tailor to each match depending on the need and availability. The matches are approximately for 6 months but again this is a guide and flexibility will be required depending on the need of each individual match. Matches are expected to meet in mutually agreed places in the community this could be a walk, library or coffee shop for instance.
All Buddies will receive induction training, and a DBS check. Subsequently there will be opportunities for Buddies to participate in other further training as appropriate.
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Youth Development Workers help set up, support and develop community-led clubs and projects for young people aged 11 - 19 years. NYY also provides training and resources for both new and established clubs and adventurous activities for young people at Carlton Lodge Activity Centre. The Buddy network is a befriending project for young people aged 14 - 19 years. NYY produce an A-Z of Clubs and Projects for Young People in Harrogate District Booklet
