Become An IVS Mentor
Every year, IVS welcomes 20-30 international volunteers of all ages and backgrounds on long-term placements (up to 12 months) on volunteering projects with our partners in the United Kingdom.
We are looking for local volunteer mentors who will provide one-to-one mentoring to these volunteers by helping them integrate into their new life in the UK, settling in the project, and planning their future after the placement.
Mentor’s Tasks
As an IVS Mentor, you will act as a point-of-contact for support, guidance and advice for our international volunteers during their project placement. This is a very important role! We really appreciate our IVS Mentors for providing a support system for our volunteers and allowing them to have the best possible experience while abroad!
Here’s an idea of the types of activities and tasks we would expect of you as an IVS Mentor, but this list is not exhaustive. We welcome your own ideas for how you feel would be best to support the volunteers and we encourage Mentors to be active and engaging in the programme.
- Welcome the volunteer on arrival – by email/letter, then in person if required.
- Available to be a point of contact for the volunteer in case of problems with host or IVS.
- Meet regularly with the volunteers during their placement – at least twice, at the start and the end of their placement.
- Offer support and advice on the local area, social activities, future plans, signposts etc if needed.
- Liaise with IVS for volunteer’s welfare issues.
Mentor’s Desired Knowledge & Skills
We are looking for positive, pro-active and professional individuals who are passionate about volunteering and have a global outlook. Here is an idea of who we are looking for, but don’t worry if you don’t meet all of these criteria!
- A knowledge and ownership of the IVS vision and principles.
- A current member of IVS (or willing to renew membership – free for IVS Mentors).
- Previous volunteering experience.
- Have an interest in young people, and strive to help identify their strengths and qualities.
- Able to travel to meet volunteers within an assigned area in the United Kingdom.
- Knowledge of the UK culture and ability to pass it on to foreign people.
- Previous mentoring/befriending/counselling experience and knowledge with practice of active listening skills.
- Previous employability/career advice experience (CV preparation).
- Knowledge of other languages/cultures, and be receptive and open-minded about age, and ethnicity.
- Have a knowledge of the UK charity sector and/or hosting project.
- Positive and optimistic.
- Be available to commit to the role for at least 1 year.
- Able to clear a required police or background check.
- Be able to volunteer for approximately 2 hours per month.
For more information on the role, download our Volunteer Mentor Role Description 2019 Pack.
Benefits Of Becoming An IVS Mentor
Becoming an IVS Mentor is a great way to meet people from all over the world. You will have a chance to share your knowledge and experience of life in the UK and help others to have a great time here while on their volunteering placement.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to develop your own skills, gain experience in working with others and knowledge of the charity volunteering sector.
Mentors will receive free concessionary membership of IVS. This is a voluntary, unpaid position. Mentor’s travel expenses are reimbursed for volunteer visits.
Current Vacancies
We are currently seeking IVS Mentors in the following areas:
- Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
- Stirlingshire, Scotland
If you are based in these regions, meet the requirements above and are able to commit to the role for at least 1 year, we would love to hear from you!