BBBSHB – Our Story
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawke’s Bay (BBBS) provides mentoring to taiohi/young people needing adult support. We match tamariki (mentees, aged 6-11) with supportive adult role models (mentors/tuakana). While the mentor, young person and their family make a one-year commitment to the programme, matches can last many years and taiohi may stay on the programme until 18 years of age.
Taiohi are usually referred to the programme by social workers or schools. They are often experiencing challenges and/or adversity in their lives (including trauma, family violence, neuro-divergence, low self-esteem, grief etc), all of which puts them at greater risk of not reaching their potential.
Mentors spend an hour or more a week with their mentee, forming a trusted friendship and experiencing a variety of activities. Mentors are our champions and the backbone of our programme. The consistent one-to-one relationship they form with their mentee is the foundation upon which youth potential is ignited.
With early intervention, through professionally supported mentoring relationships, BBBS support these taiohi; significantly reducing their risk factors. Taiohi develop new life and relationship skills, improve their social behaviours and increase in self-confidence.
We provide training, guidance and support to our mentors to ensure outcomes for mentees and to ensure that our programme is achieving its purpose safely.
We currently have 70 matches across Napier and Hastings (including Flaxmere, Clive and Havelock North).
Trust House has supported us for a number of years; providing funding to support matches between volunteer mentors and taiohi in the Flaxmere area.
