VOLUNTEERS are being sought to mentor and support Clacks young people for a few hours each week.

Charity Quarriers is on the lookout for volunteers in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Falkirk to support children between the ages of eight and 14.

Sought are people who can help provide a consistent, trusted relationship with a reliable adult in the lives of young people.

It is also about having fun doing an activity, such as trampolining, walking, swimming, or going to a café – whatever the young person wants to do.

Claire Devlin, mentoring co-ordinator at Quarriers' intandem service, said: “All you need is to have empathy for how it feels to be young.

“We’ll train you and I’m here to support all our mentors.

“You could help a young person come out of themselves, feel valued and be seen.

“Do you want to be the person you needed when you were young? Then you could be a young person’s person.”

Across Quarriers, one of Scotland’s leading social care charities, there are more than 100 volunteers giving their time to a local service, each contributing to a vision for a Scotland in which people can access support, find kindness and thrive.

Claire added: “It’s all about connecting with the young person you’re matched with.

“You spend two-to-three hours a week talking, listening and getting to know a young person, while taking part in fun activities.

“If you can commit to at least one year of volunteering we know you can make a huge difference in helping a young person to overcome challenging circumstances, feel heard and to become more confident.”

Quarriers asks mentors to commit to a minimum of one year with a mentee with full training given, including topics such as child protection, boundaries and confidentiality.

Mentors will have regular check-ins with their co-ordinator who will provide whatever support is requested.

Ingrid, who is a volunteer mentor at the intandem service, said: “Don’t think you haven’t got anything to give, because you have.

“And it will be hugely appreciated.

“My mentee and I have built this relationship between two people who are so different in age, which is lovely, and we just get to have a really fun time together.

“I can see that they are gaining confidence when they realise that I am genuinely interested in them and their thoughts.

“If you are thinking about mentoring, don’t hesitate.”

Those interested in mentoring can email Claire.devlin@quarriers.org.uk or phone Claire on 07500074572.

No previous experience in the care sector is required.