Frequently asked questions
Please see below for answers to frequently asked questions.
You can also email cyp@hertfordshiremind.org if you have other questions that you would like to ask the team.
Both mentoring and counselling help with mental health and wellbeing, but they work in different ways:
Mentoring:
Mentoring gives you support and guidance to help you with challenges in your life. It’s flexible and can last up to 6 months. Mentors might share their own experiences when it’s helpful. Mentoring is about setting goals, building your strengths, and helping you feel more confident and capable.
Counselling:
Counselling involves working with a trained professional to talk through emotional or mental health concerns. Our counselling service offers up to 14 sessions. A counsellor helps you understand and process your feelings and experiences, offering early support to stop things from getting worse.
Both can be really helpful, it depends on what feels right for you.
All of our volunteer mentors must have experience supporting children and young people in a professional setting. Our team has a variety of skills, knowledge, and training.
Before starting, mentors complete and enhanced DBS check and thorough training, including:
- A one-day mandatory training session
- Training focused on understanding children and young people
- 8 online courses, including child and adult safeguarding
They also get a one-on-one induction with our Future Youth Coordinator, including database training.
After starting, mentors attend at least 8 group supervision sessions each year and have access to ongoing training on over 50 mental health and wellbeing topics.
Young people can get mentoring support if they live or go to school in these areas:
- North Hertfordshire: Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Knebworth, Royston
- East Hertfordshire: Hertford, Ware, Bishop’s Stortford, Buntingford, Sawbridgeworth
Not sure if you’re eligible? Please email cyp@hertsmindnetwork.org
Yes, Future Youth Mentoring is a confidential service. The Future Youth Coordinator will explain our confidentiality agreement at your first meeting.
We keep what you share private unless we believe you or someone else is in immediate danger. If that happens, we’ll be open with you and work together to keep you safe.
We will only break confidentiality if we think you or someone else is in serious danger or at risk of harm. If this happens, we’ll be honest with you and try to find the safest way forward together.
If you’re not in danger but want us to share something with someone you trust, we can help with that too.