Family Works

The mission of the programme is to contribute to the emotional and social wellbeing of children and young people in Otago, Canterbury and the Upper South Island.

Objectives: To match the children and young people with carefully selected and trained volunteers in well supported buddy friendships.

Outcomes: Improved social and emotional wellbeing as evidenced in young buddy's enjoyment of the relationship.

Benefits:

Each relationship involves a different mix of personality factors, interests, skills, and needs. A particular strength of the programme is the extent to which it is able to make the most of this diversity by arranging the "right match". Some of the benefits the young buddy can enjoy are:

1) Consistency - regular and sustained contact with a trusted adult friend who encourages positive interests, attitudes, and behaviour.

2) Time out from family responsibilities.

3) Practice in constructive/creative use of free time (Generally getting out from in front of the TV or Play Station to enjoy healthy physical activity).

4) Experience of using local resources e.g. the library, the pool, the beach, and the park.

5) Practice in making positive choices.

6) Above all else "fun" the experience of life as interesting and enjoyable.

Contact Address	Family Works Presbyterian Support Otago 407 Moray Place PO Box 374 Dunedin
Phone Number	03 477 7115 (see below for cell phone and after hours numbers)
Organisation Email	Buddy@psotago.org.nz
Organisation Website	Family Works
Contact Person	Co-ordinators: Rayleen Hubac 027 2444437 / AH 03 488 4471, Fiona Ross 027 4871806 / AH 03 474 5393 Manager: Russell Beal 027 3586588 / AH 03 4897508
Email	rayleenh@psotago.org.nz  fionar@psotago.org.nz russellb@psotago.org.nz
Programme Base	Level 2 Presbyterian Support Otago's Administration Building 407 Moray Place Dunedin
Other branches/areas of operation? - specify Full time co-ordinators who are responsible for the day to day running of the programme are based in each of these locations.	Motueka: Ph: 03 546 9812 Invercargill Mid Canterbury Mosgiel (Taieri Great Mates) North Otago South Otago Central Otago East Otago Gore Wakatipu (Queenstown) West Otago See also Synergy Youth Mentoring
Target Group/s Age (range) Male/Female/Both	4-12 years Both
Additional Target Criteria? Ethnicity/decile/other	Children and young people who have been assessed as being in need of support and encouragement from a positive adult friend
Nature of mentoring service	Enriching and young buddies lives with friendship, fun, and learning
Mentoring only, or is there some other element	Transitioning on to further tertiary study, placement or jobs. A developmental programme in which the emphasis is on the quality of the relationship and on the constructive activity shared by the buddies/mates
Mentoring approach - individual/group/combination	Individual
Mentoring duration - annual or other	12 months minimum
Location and frequency eg school, monthly	Two hours weekly. Often at the volunteer's home or out and about exploring the local environment
Programme Operating since	Established in Dunedin in 1992
Mentor Source	Community
Mentor Target Criteria	"Concerned optimists" adults who can provide a safe and beneficial friendship
Measurement and Evaluation - how is this done	A continuous process informed by regular supervision sessions for volunteers. Independent contact with the young buddy and/or their caregiver and observation of the buddies on activity days. Diary sheets, case notes and questionnaires provide written feedback. On occasion teachers/ social workers etc.  provide valuable observations
Involvement Opportunities	Community support e.g. volunteers, sponsorship