JUMP is a voluntary organisation set up to help improve the lives of young people in our community.
JUMP stands for Junior2adult Unbiased Mentoring Project and we are exactly that, a mentoring project set up for and run by young people. JUMP operates an open door policy to all young people who may benefit from the mentoring process; however the project particularly aims to work with young people aged 13 – 18 years old who are:
* At Risk of homelessness, homeless or vulnerably housed
* Not in employment, education or training or at risk of becoming so
* Offenders, those at risk of offending or those identified as exhibiting anti-social behaviour
Most of JUMPs volunteers are young people themselves and many have had past experience of bullying, homelessness, family problems, teenage pregnancy, drug & alcohol misuse, low self esteem and confidence issues and much more.
After full training and background checking our volunteers go on to mentor young people who require support with some aspect of their lives and are able to offer, guidance, encouragement, understanding and motivation. It is our aim at JUMP to provide a non judgmental, confidential, listening ear to young people that really need it.
All of JUMPs volunteers are able to relate well to and understand the challenges that face young people as well as understanding the importance of respecting individuality.
At JUMP we match Mentors with young people depending on needs and experience. Making the right match is important to JUMP to ensure future success.
Once matched the mentor and young person meet and as long as everyone is happy, a getting to know you activity session such as bowling, pizza hut or quasar will be arranged. After the getting to know you session the mentor and young person meet once a week for an initial 7 week period during which they will work together through a planned mentoring program to address the issues that have been identified as requiring support. At the end of the 8 week period the program will be reviewed and extended if required. If no further mentoring sessions are required a progression route will be agreed with the option of resuming contact with JUMP for help and support at any point in their future.
Both the young person and mentor are fully supported and supervised by the professional staff at JUMP during and after each match.
All of our mentors are fully trained, approachable, down to earth and non judgemental and offer wide ranging support to those young people who are identified as being within our target group.
We also like to get together every now and then with everyone and do group events such as bowling, DJ workshops, fund raising gigs and any other ideas people have.
We have received great support from local MP Bob Blizzard, local press, Waveney Community Forum, Councilor David Thomas, Carl Prettyman from When colors Meet, Lowestoft Together, Suffolk ACRE and many other various organisations and with your help and support we can help reach other young people in our community.