Peer Mentoring

Peer mentors provide support and encouragement to be who you are and work towards who you want to be.

The LGBT Mentoring Programme is available to all members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community over the age of 18, those questioning their sexuality or gender identity, or parents of LGBT+/questioning children, who require information and support in their local community.

 

The Mentoring Programme is accessible across the county of Kerry ensuring that those living rurally or without access to transport can avail of support in their local community, at a time and place that suits them. The Programme will match up trained volunteer mentors with interested mentees. The focus will be on personal development, confidence-building, and social activities, with the aim to increase well-being and quality of life for those involved. Mentors and mentees will meet weekly to set personal and life goals, and work towards achieving them together.

 

The Mentoring Programme will be overseen by the dedicated LGBT+ Community Support Worker, ensuring that mentors and mentees benefit from the experience.  Supervision will also be provided to support mentors. All volunteers are assessed for suitability, trained, and Garda vetted to ensure that mentees are receiving a high quality of service delivered by knowledgeable and experienced mentors in a safe, accessible, and confidential manner. To ensure that all those who would benefit from mentoring can avail of it, this service is offered free of charge, funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth under the Supporting LGBTI+ Community Services Scheme.

For more information, please contact;

Daniel Quirke

LGBT+ Community Support Worker

Listowel Family Resource Centre CLG

087 6050069

daniel.quirke@listowelfrc.ie

What will the LGBT+ Peer Mentoring Program do?

The program assists individuals in developing a positive outlook on their sexual orientation and gender identity whilst also supporting their growth in confidence and self-acceptance. This process will be facilitated through peer-to-peer mentoring in a safe and confidential environment.

 

Are you interested in becoming a Mentor?

We at ScEEN in Kerry believe it’s important for some of our peer mentors to be representatives of the LGBT+ community themselves. Sometimes it’s nice to hear from people who have gone through similar circumstances to yourselves. Likewise, we believe LGBT+ allies can be excellent peer mentors. If you are secure in your sense of identity and want to help others in difficult situations, then becoming an LGBT+ peer mentor may be a rewarding thing for you to consider. We will be looking for volunteers who have a background in teaching and youth work. However, we are also open to hearing from people who believe they would be great candidates to support this LGBT+ peer mentoring program.

For more information, please contact;

Daniel Quirke

LGBT+ Community Support Worker

Listowel Family Resource Centre CLG

087 6050069

daniel.quirke@listowelfrc.ie

Who will this Peer Mentoring Program support?

Are you or do you think you are LGBT+? Are you struggling with your sexuality, gender identity, and/or gender expression? Do you want to talk to someone confidentially about your personal concerns and/or how to get involved with the LGBT+ community in Co. Kerry? If so, this LGBT+ Peer Mentoring Program may be the right path for you to join as a mentee. Supporting you with a caring, dynamic peer mentor on your personal, social and lifestyle goals!

The peer mentoring programme is available to any and all LGBT+ individuals in Kerry over the age of 18, or those questioning their sexuality or gender identity. Parents of LGBT+/questioning children may also avail of the service. This is available county-wide and free of charge.

How does the LGBT+ Peer Mentor Program work?

Based upon interviews, personality traits, and life experiences, mentors and mentees are matched. The Peer Mentoring Coordinator supervises each pair and conducts ongoing participant training to further strengthen the longevity and outcome of the match. There is comfort in meeting people who have been there, done that! shared the trials and tribulations of coming out. As the old saying goes ‘a problem shared, is a problem halved’, we hope! Whether you are questioning or openly LGBT+, ScEEN in Kerry is committed to creating safe, friendly, open spaces for you to gain confidence and become proud of who you are!

“Role models are so important in the community, it’s important that people go out to schools, (…) People need a safe place, because then we can feel comfortable in our own skin about our sexuality.”