Male Mentor Wanted in Tring

Liing Magazines Children Heard and Seen

Children Heard and Seen is a charity set up in 2014 to provide targeted support to children of prisoners. (Registered Charity Number 1157879). The charity’s aim is to mitigate the effects of parental imprisonment on children, young people and their families.

An important way to support these children is through mentoring activities with a suitable adult. The mentor is paired with an appropriate child who they will meet in a secure and stable environment outside the family. The mentor acts as a positive role model for the child, engaging in one-on-one activities that help improve attitudes at home and at school, encourage commitment to education and reduce any anti-social behaviour.

Key Facts

  • 60% of women in prison have children.
  • A prison sentence separates 17,000 children a year from their mothers.
  • Children of prisoners are more likely to experience poverty, poor housing, social exclusion, poor physical health, aggressive behaviour. Children of prisoners are 3 times more at risk of committing Anti-Social Behaviour or delinquent behaviour
  • 65% of boys with a convicted parent go on to offend themselves.
  • 25% of children with a parent in prison are at risk of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, eating and sleeping disorders.
  • Parental imprisonment is associated with negative school experiences such as persistent truanting, bullying and failure to achieve in education.
  • Children of prisoners are also disproportionately represented among young offenders and the care population,
  • It is estimated that every £1 invested in supporting prisoners’ families could save the taxpayer £11

Volunteering as a Mentor

A Children Heard and Seen Mentor is a caring and responsible adult volunteer who in partnership with a child develops a trusting relationship through which the child can seek and receive support and guidance.

A Mentor helps to ensure that a child has the opportunity to try new things, access resources, develop resilience, coping strategies and life skills to help the child make sense of their situation and feelings in order that they are able to make positive life choices and maximize their potential. Please see the job description for more information.

If you are interested in volunteering as a mentor please complete the application form below and return to info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk.

Volunteer mentor job description
Volunteer mentor application form