Ballina News
Calling Youth Mentors: Clubhouse Needs You!
Calling Youth Mentors: Clubhouse Needs You!
Clubhouse Ballina and Lismore, creative tech-learning spaces, are looking for mentors to work with young people aged 12 to 17 years one or two afternoons a week.
The not-for-profit organisation Social Futures manages the Clubhouses, and Social Futures CEO Tony Davies, said he is keen to hear from people with expertise in areas such as music, film, robotics, coding, electronics, computer science, creative arts, animation or photography.
“If you have an interest in any of these fields, then consider sharing your skills with the Northern River’s young people,” Mr Davies said. “But really, any skills or experience you have to share will be valued.”
“Mentoring at the Clubhouse could appeal to people who have retired and have some spare time to give back. Or people who are studying youth work or teaching and who want some hands-on experience volunteering with young people to get ahead.
“Mentors tell us that volunteering at the Clubhouse is incredibly rewarding and a journey of creativity and discovery for both mentors and the young people who come to the Clubhouse.”
“It’s basically a free after-school program where young people have freedom, in a safe, inclusive environment, to explore technology and other crafts, and unleash their creativity, and express themselves,” Mr Davies said.
“We’re proud that we’ve created an environment where young people can get hands-on experience making and creating, and seeing their visions realised as art, or on the screen, or as music or in the garden.”
Mr Davies said Clubhouse was looking for mentors who could commit to a couple of hours a day for a day or two per week during school terms.
“Our mentors play a vital role in challenging these young minds to think critically, develop new concepts, and find the technologies to bring their ideas to life,” Mr Davies said, “but it can also just be as simple as asking a young person how their day was and sharing a cup a tea.”
Youth Mentors at the clubhouse jamming
Australian rock legend Ray Arnott has been a long-serving mentor with Clubhouse Ballina. He
The world’s first Clubhouse was set up in Boston in 1993 by two MIT education researchers – now there are more than 120 clubhouses in 19 countries, including Ballina Clubhouse.
was a sessional drummer for Albert Music and played with all the greats – John Farnham, Rick Springfield, John Paul Young, Cold Chisel and ACDC in the 1970s and 1980s.
Ray is based in Ballina and was also a member of Spectrum (1970–1973), which had a number Australian one hit with ‘I’ll Be Gone’.
“It is so important to give back. These young ones are keen to learn and it’s amazing what you know, and what you can pass on,” Mr Arnott said.
“One of the most incredible things about being a mentor is watching young people grow in confidence and believe in themselves. They begin to understand what they themselves can do and can give to their community and to the world.”
Social Futures is a Centrelink approved volunteer organisation meaning dedicated volunteering hours can count towards Centrelink payments.
If you would like to learn more about being a mentor, visit our website or call 1800 719 625.
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