Mentor Marketplace - Program Overview
AMP- SW is a comprehensive mentor support programme delivered by Jobs South West Inc. It is funded by FaCSIA (Dept of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) under the Mentor Marketplace initiative. The AMP-SW target group is young people (12-25yrs) who have a disability and live in the South West of Western Australia. The programme provides one-on-one mentoring services and activities aimed at assisting young people to build their self esteem, improve relationships with their family and peers and also improve their engagement with education, training, the workplace and the community. In collaboration with service providers and families, mentors will work with each participant to establish an action plan specific to their individual needs. AMP-SW aims to achieve the following outcomes;
- Increased levels of self esteem, resilience and physical and mental health
- Increased opportunity for participation in work, education, training and community life
- Increased connection with family and peers
- Increased engagement with the community
- Increased skills in areas such as leadership and communication
Programme activities will vary based on each participant’s needs and may encompass some or all of the following; Explore local employment options; Identify services available to them; engage in work experience placements; participate in physical activities and outings; focus on independent living skills such as budgeting, shopping, paying bills, domestic skills etc; engage in community activities and events. In a supported environment, participants will be encouraged to challenge themselves and increase their engagement with their community, their family and their peers. AMP-SW aims to increase participants’ social skills which will lead to increased confidence and self esteem which in turn may assist them with their employability skills increasing their chance of entering employment.Personal development skills such as communication, self esteem, motivation, teamwork and leadership qualities will be developed. In addition to this will be practical skills such as training and employment options, job search skills, life skills etc.
Participants in AMP-SW will be matched with mentors in their local area. Programme Coordinators will ensure that mentors have comprehensive knowledge of the resources available, employment options within their area and that they have the local connections to assist the young people with their choices and directions. Mentors will come from a range of backgrounds and have diverse skills and knowledge. In addition to standard recruitment processes, AMP-SW also has a commitment to recruiting mentors with disabilities. The focus being on their capacity and their ability, not their disability. All mentors will be required to undergo a comprehensive recruitment and induction process to ensure suitability for the programme and ongoing training will be provided.