Buddies Mentor Training Program - promotes self-esteem and confidence for People with Disabilities
"Consumers training as mentors need to have a genuine care for the development of the mentee and to understand and be able to uphold confidentiality principles."
The ‘Buddies’ program, developed by a team from Wyong College of TAFE NSW is aimed at helping people with disabilities (Consumers) assimilate more easily into the supported Business Service environment. It offers existing employees the opportunity to increase their personal, social and work skills while mentoring newcomers and easing the transition from school, home or another workplace.
Mentoring program
'The TAFE module, "Mentoring", and the PlanIt Youth program were adapted specifically for delivery to people with disabilities who are employed by supported Business Services,' Cath Starling, Manager NSW Consumer Support and Training Project, Access and General Education Faculty at Wyong College of TAFE NSW said.
Cath and Ann Isaac (also from Wyong campus) worked closely with Christine Semken-Bastow who had been training community members to mentor young people at risk of leaving school early utilising the PlanIt Youth Program which Christine had developed.
Teachers Christine Semken-Bastow on the left and Ann Isaac on the right
Cath and Ann saw the possibilities of using the skills of mentors to ease the way for new recruits in the supported Business Services environment and set about brainstorming and developing their ideas.
'We talked with all the stakeholders including people with disabilities and determined that a mentor program could be very useful,' she said. 'We developed the program to meet the needs of Consumers, by training people with disabilities to be mentors in their own workplace.'
Positive benefits of the new service
This new service not only envisaged assisting newcomers with the transition but also foresaw helping people with disabilities who may have been working in a supported business services environment for many years.
'That’s the way this program has operated and it is very successful. Everyone connected with the program has received positive benefits. Supported Business Services managers benefit with staff who work well together, mentors gain confidence and self-esteem and better communication skills and the mentees are able to move into a new environment with confidence.' Cath also commented that often the mentoring had a very pleasing social outcome with mentors and mentees often 'developing social relationships and real friendships, attending out of work activities, such as movies, bowling and shopping trips, as a group of friends'.
Workplace training – positive, interactive delivery
Training is delivered in the workplace after consulting with the manager or foreman of the supported Business Services using workbooks developed by Cath and Ann. The workbooks are written in easy to understand plain English with a reliance on graphics. So popular has the Buddies program become that two indigenous groups in Newcastle have also used the workbooks with very positive results and feedback.
'There is little writing involved for the participants and delivery revolves around individual participation with groups no larger than 10 Consumers,' Cathy added. 'We always use positive, interactive delivery methods like a personal treasure hunt where Consumers find out as much as they can about other members of the group or a ladder of learning. Other topics covered might include assertive statements where an "I" statement is used to good effect.'
Open communication and goal setting
To ensure equality and understanding of goals and outcomes the mentor and mentee undertake an open discussion regarding things the Buddy needs to learn and how and when this learning will take place. A contract is then signed stating those goals and timeframes.
'So it really is the two of them deciding on what goals they want to reach and the timeframe for outcomes.
'Everyone can apply to train as a mentor, even if they have undertaken the training previously, and would like a refresher' Cath said.
Training the mentors
Consumers wishing to train as mentors need to have the time to give and a friendly and agreeable personality. They also need to have experience related to the workplace of the mentee. Communication skills are important as is the ability to be a role model along with patience and a sense of humour.
'Consumers training as mentors need to have a genuine care for the development of the mentee and to understand and be able to uphold confidentiality principles,' Cath stated.
Cath has a great deal of confidence in Consumers and says they undertake their mentoring roles with ease.
This role is more than just answering questions and being available. It has specific focus and may be illustrated using Clutterback, D (1985 p20) where he spells it out as:
M anages the relationship
E ncourages the mentee
N urtures the mentee
T eaches the mentee
O ffers mutual respect
R esponds to the needs of the mentee
He also offers further guidelines covering the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of mentoring: a mentor is a guide not a supervisor, a friend and not a therapist, counsellor not a police officer, a coach not a rescuer, a giver of information and not a boss, and an advocate not a parent.
Video
The Buddies Mentor program was made with the support of participants in the initial mentor training event. Cath Starling’s voice is heard in the background but she stressed that the Consumers were all keen to be a part of the production and consented to the video’s distribution. Their words and feedback are their own.
The video is now used as a marketing and educational tool with great effect.
TAFE Quality Awards 2004 and 2006
As an acknowledgement of the Buddies Mentor program’s worth, it gained TAFE Quality Awards in 2004 and 2006 for achievement of quality and commitment to quality respectively.
Cath Starling
Worked as Manager NSW Consumer Support and Training Project at Wyong TAFE for five years and has worked at TAFE since 1995. Taught and co-ordinated courses in the disabilities unit at Newcastle and Wyong and still teaches in the workplace.
Ann Isaac
One of the original advisors on the project in the trial and working out what programs would be useful. Highly experience working with people with disabilities, Ann also teaches and coordinates in the disability unit at Gosford and Wyong TAFE.
Christine Semen-Bastow
Developed and implemented successful PlanIt Youth program to help 15+ high school children in danger of non-completion. Christine is Relieving Manager of the Wyong Outreach Unit situated at the Wyong Campus.
David Clutterback
Well regarded coach and trainer in UK, Europe and Australia. His latest book 'Coaching the Team at Work' will be available in April 2007. He has an enviable reputation regarding mentoring and often speaks at international conferences.