Volunteer Mentor West Midlands
Trailblazers’ mission is to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures for young men leaving prison. As a volunteer mentor, you’ll help someone reconnect with their community, rebuild relationships, and access education, training, or employment—offering hope and a fresh start. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and skill sets. All we ask is that you bring a genuine passion for social change and can commit to supporting at least one young man for up to 18 months—providing the consistency and encouragement that many of our mentees have never had.
About this Opportunity
- Knowledgeable about the criminal justice system and the challenges faced by mentees (desirable – full training provided)
- Aware of professional boundaries and able to report concerns that may relate to risk or safeguarding
- Advocates for mentees, actively seeking opportunities for resettlement in collaboration with Trailblazers staff
- Non-judgmental, focusing on the person rather than the offence
- Professional yet relatable, with strong communication skills
- Aware of adversity and how to help mentees overcome barriers and build supportive networks
- Comfortable with basic IT tasks
- Open to receiving guidance and feedback from Trailblazers staff
- Be aged 21 or over
- Live within a 30-mile radius of HMPYOI Brinsford
- Be a British citizen (due to prison security requirements)
- Not be barred from working with vulnerable adults or children
- Be physically fit enough to move around the prison at a fast pace, including using stairs
- Not have been a resident in the same prison where you wish to volunteer
- If you have lived experience of the criminal justice system, you must be off licence for at least 12 months and not currently in crisis
- Full induction training
- Out-of-pocket expenses covered
- A mobile phone to protect your identity
- Trailblazers T-shirt and lanyard
- DBS check costs covered
- Regular reflective practice sessions
To apply for this role, please complete the application form on Trailblazers website: www.trailblazersmentoring.org.uk/become-a-mentor/
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About the Organisation
Trailblazers Mentoring
Inspire New Futures
Trailblazers is a UK charity which provides 1:1 mentorship and practical support to people in prison and post release. Our goals are to prevent reoffending and improve outcomes for those leaving prison. This is achieved through intensive weekly, one-to-one mentoring sessions conducted by a large cohort of volunteer mentors. Each individual is matched with a skilled volunteer mentor, who they meet with weekly for up to 6 months in prison, and then 12 months post release. This is augmented with practical support to ensure the basics for re-settlement are in place at the time of release, and in the early months post-release – a critical period for many. Our work inspires and encourages people to change their future, rebuild their lives and make a positive impact on their community.
