Supporting young people
in our community.

COMMUNITY BASED MENTORING

Since 2022, VME has partnered with key local community agencies to support young people needing vocational guidance beyond school. Each program is tailored to the unique needs of its agency, young people, and mentors.

What’s involved?

For 2025, the VME is excited to be once again partnering with Bridge Darebin, this time providing vocational mentors for their Youth Action Group (YAG).

Eight fortnightly one hour mentoring sessions from July – October (excluding school holidays), with a total time commitment of approximately 17 hours, will see three volunteer mentors supporting ten secondary school students. As mentees are under 18, all mentoring sessions will be face-to-face and facilitated by the Project Leader at Bridge Darebin’s Preston office.

Mentors are well supported by the VME team and partner organisation, including free and comprehensive training and resources.

What will the mentoring sessions cover?

The sessions are flexible in nature to best support the goals of the young people who will be working collaboratively to develop, promote and implement a Youth Summit event in November. Goals may include building specific skills and confidence like communication, event/project management, marketing/PR, community development, advocacy.

  • Make a difference

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    You can make a difference in a young person’s life, and the community they live in!

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  • COMMUNITY BASED

    Mentor Role Description
    VIEW
Male mentors with mentee

  • “As each session went on my confidence grew and I started progressing with new questions.”

    SiemCommunity Partnerships Mentee
  • Siem

    “I really valued sharing experiences and giving hope to the mentee that she is on the right path to achieve her goals.”

    AchalaCommunity Partnerships Mentor

What is Bridge Darebin?

Bridge Darebin (Preston Neighbourhood House Inc.) is an innovative, not-for-profit community organisation based in Preston and Thornbury. Established in 1982, they are a registered charity and public benevolent institution (PBI), a certified social enterprise and a Learn Local organisation. Their work actively addresses some key challenges in the Darebin community, including training and employment pathways, positive ageing and social inclusion.

Unlike the more generalist, school-based VME Mentoring Matters program, this initiative requires mentors to possess more specialized skill sets and relevant industry experience.

Become a Vocational Mentor

  • How do I apply and what’s the process?

    Applying is safe and easy via the ONLINE VME Application Form.
    Before you start, please make sure that you have a copy of your resume and Working With Children’s Check (WWCC) handy as you will need to upload a copy.

    Don’t worry if you don’t have a WWCC though as you can easily apply online for a FREE Volunteer WWCC via Service Victoria.

Apply Now
Step-by-step Mentoring Process

Mentor Application Process

STEP BY STEP

  • Application

    Application

    Complete the secure online VME Application Form and apply for a Working With Children Check (WWCC) if you don’t already have one

  • Discussion

    Discussion

    VME contacts you to discuss your application and arrange an interview, if appropriate

  • Interview

    Interview

    Online interview with VME team (1hr)

  • Training

    Training

    Complete online self-paced and interactive session (6hrs)

  • Ready to Mentor

    Ready to Mentor

  • Select a VME Program

    Select a VME Program

    Volunteer for a mentoring program(s)

  • On-site Program Induction

    On-site Program Induction

    Pre-program session with staff and mentee(s) (1-1.5hrs)

  • Mentoring Program

    Mentoring Program

    (10-20hrs)

  • Mentor check-ins

    Mentor check-ins

    Mid-program (2x.5hr)

  • Evaluation Survey and Focus Group

    Evaluation Survey and Focus Group

    Post-program evaluation (1hr)

  • Select another program

    (if you can)

Vocational Mentoring Exchange

  • Get Involved!

    Becoming a VME Community Partner

    For more information about becoming a community partner please contact
    Rochelle Darby on rdarby@inllen.org.au

    Contact US

You can make a difference in a young person’s life, and the community they live in!

No need to have mentored before as comprehensive and free training, support and resources are provided.

APPLY NOW

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