We provide one to one mentoring with well trained, open minded, confidential mentors aged 16-25 that can offer help, support, guidance and motivation.
 
The focus of JUMP is to recruit and train volunteer mentors from within the Lowestoft community to deliver tailored mentoring programmes to young people for at least one hour per week over an initial eight week period. This period will includes "getting to know you" activity sessions.
 
We accept referrals from schools and agencies in accordance with the referral criteria. Self referrals are also accepted and encouraged from young people and/or their parents and carers.
 
JUMP operates an open-door policy to all young people aged 13-19 that may benefit from the mentoring process. However, the project particularly aims to work with young people who are:

• Homeless, at risk of homelessness, or vulnerably housed
• Not in employment, education or training or at risk of becoming so
• Offenders, at risk of offending or those identified as exhibiting antisocial behaviour

 
At JUMP, every young person is matched with a Mentor, an independent and unbiased person who they can talk to in confidence. All of JUMPs volunteers are able to relate well to and understand the challenges that face young people.
 
Young people first meet their mentor for a game of bowling or a slice of pizza, then every week for the next eight weeks. Nervous first meetings quickly develop into conversations and turn out to be an enjoyable learning experience for everyone involved. JUMP reviews every match after eight weeks. It can be extended or, if no further weekly sessions are required, a progression route will be agreed, with everyone given the opportunity to resume contact with JUMP in the future.
 
JUMP's volunteers know what they're talking about. Between them, they've experienced, bullying and teenage pregnancy; homelessness and drug misuse; family problems and low self-esteem, and now they're using those experiences to help young people in similar scenarios. It's not easy growing up, before you've had a chance to pack away your toys, you're exposed to a whole new world. Alcohol and drugs, sex and pregnancy, exams and jobs. The pressure's on and sometimes it gets too much. That's when JUMP's volunteers come in. They give up their free time, instead choosing to support other young people by giving them guidance, encouragement, understanding and motivation.
 
THEY DONT DO IT TO MAKE MONEY, THEY DO IT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
 
At the end of the program, the young person will be fully supported through a planned progression route and will have the option to maintain contact with JUMP for as long as they feel necessary.
 
If you know of a young person who may benefit from our service our referral form can be downloaded below along with a copy of JUMP's mentoring process or if you prefer you can contact us for more information or some of our leaflets.
 
We can email you a copy of the form that allows you to type directly onto it and email it back to us to save on postage and printing. If you require us to do so please email: louise@jumpuk.org  or call: 01502 569225