The job of the community mentor is to engage participants in the service. Here we explain the role of the mentor in rural and urban areas and the ways in which the service has been developed so far. There are personal case studies, a group case study and comments from people who have used the service, mentors themselves and from health professionals.

Community Mentors

Community Mentors are a key feature of the successful outreach approach by Upstream and now also by Age Concern Exeter.

Mentors are paid staff, working in the community within clear management structures and governance.

Mentors:

• identify, encourage and support people who are isolated or at risk of becoming isolated, or who are losing confidence;
• identify, encourage and support people who  have had serious health issues and are recovering from treatment and are receiving support from the multi-disciplinary team;
• work with adults across generations and give support to carers and minority ethnic groups;
• help to motivate and support people through community involvement and small creative and social groups, to become as independent as possible.

The mentors’ job description and skills have evolved in response to ‘action research’ and independently evaluated consultation with professionals and participants. The role of Community Mentors has been praised by health and social care authorities and by central government as an example of good practice, exploring a new way of working with vulnerable people in communities.

Mentors have individual caseloads but work as a team. Mentors may work with support staff - Enablers - who can undertake one to one work with participants following assessment by and under the guidance of the mentor. The respect and trust that grows between the participants and mentors/enablers is crucial to success. Mentors are not seen as ‘counsellors’, ‘befrienders’ or health and social care professionals. Their job is to enable people to become as independent as possible, supported by, and contributing to, their own communities, gaining an improved sense of well-being and quality of life in its widest sense. Regular peer support and development is an important aspect of the work alongside skills training from a clinical psychologist, health and social care professionals, and others.

Participants benefit from mentor support by:

• gaining an improved sense of well-being and quality of life in its widest sense;
• developing social relationships and involvement in regular activity to sustain their commitment;
• moving from self-improvement organised by others toward a more flexible and largely self-organised approach, sharing knowledge and meaning through their own Healthy Living Community; and gaining the skills and confidence to make their own health choices and responding to their social support needs.
• planning their own goals and working through a stepped programme to develop confidence and reduce anxiety in accessing social opportunities.

“Elderly people lose their confidence. You need a push, someone to encourage you. This is where Upstream are good because they go in gently. The mentors build up their confidence and that’s what they need.  That’s so important because loneliness in old age is dreadful and it just gets worse and worse and worse.” (GP)

One mentor, who retired in Devon away from his familiar roots and social supports, observed:

“I don’t mind noticing a parallel between how I am feeling and what we are trying to develop in our participants – the investment of hope.”

• How Mentors Make a Difference
• Mapping the Community
• Identification and Referral
• Making Contact
• Working with Participants
• Looking at the Options
• Stimulating Activities
• Activity Groups
• Individual Activities
• Work in Progress
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Consultation Events
• Group Case Study
• Personal Case Studies
• Community Mentoring in Exeter
• What People Say