Dorset Probation Trust recognises that volunteer mentors can make a significant contribution to the range and quality of work undertaken by the Service. The Service is therefore committed to developing the use of volunteer mentors through partnerships with community organisations.

The essential purpose of mentors is to complement and enhance the services provided by employed staff. Mentors provide a valuable link between the Probation Service and the local community, and can thus contribute towards the successful integration of offenders within the community.

Partners include The Footprints Project and Weymouth Community Volunteers.

Additional information can be found at do-it.org.

Mentors and their role within the National Probation Service

Mentors can assist probation staff in working with offenders in the following areas:-

• Supporting offenders on group work programmes
• Supporting/advising
• Literacy and/or numeracy skills
• Writing to prisoners
• Visiting prisoners
• Offer practical help and constructive advice in areas such as;

Housing, Budget Management, Document/form filling, Employment opportunities, Training/skills, Leisure activities.

We can offer volunteer mentors training and rewarding & interesting voluntary work.

Dorset Probation Trust encourage the use of peer to peer mentoring and recognise the additional knowledge and support that can be provided by ex-offenders.