BOLTON Lads and Girls' Club has been awarded a contract - working alongside the employment service to provide positive role models for unemployed young adults.

The club has already been operating a highly successful mentoring service since April 1997, linking up a young person with an adult volunteer who then becomes their mentor.

Many of the young people involved in the scheme have experienced various problems - family breakdown, truancy, petty crime - but some simply need someone to talk to.

Their mentors act as role models - encouraging, motivating and befriending the youngsters.

In April this year, a key element of the Government welfare to work strategy - New Deal - was brought into force and now the mentoring service is extending to that.

Karen Davies, from Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club, explained: "The mentors will provide positive role models for unemployed young adults.

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"The aim of the mentor is to guide the youngster into employment, training or education while offering support and encouragement - probably something they've never had."

As well as providing the youngster with new skills, mentors often find it benefits them.

Karen says: "More often than not it can develop their social skills and help them become more self aware.

"Existing mentors say they have a strong sense of achievement and reap a lot of satisfaction knowing they're putting something back into the community."

New Deal - created to help people between the ages of 18 and 24 find work - is for those who have been unemployed for six months or more and are claiming Job Seekers allowance.

With the contract work, Bolton Lads and Girls' Club urgently needs more volunteers to act as mentors.

Karen said: "Volunteers' expenses will be paid and training will be provided.

"And, in addition to the satisfaction of helping someone carve out a new career or even life for themselves, the training provided for a mentor can also lead to more qualifications."

She adds: "Mentors are supporting tomorrow's citizens and helping build a better future."

More details are available from Karen, or Janine Hallows, on 01204- 396668.

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