The YWCA of Adelaide’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program is the proud national and state winner for the small to medium category of the prestigious NAB Volunteer Awards. Volunteering Australia is also a key partner of this award program. The NAB Volunteer Awards promote organisations who achieve best practice and innovation coordinating volunteer programs and services. It also recognises and rewards the vital work done by local volunteer groups throughout Australia. The awards began in 1997 and are now one of the largest and most successful volunteer recognition programs.

Phone: 1300 4 MENTOR

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a community based mentoring program that matches adult volunteers (‘Bigs’) to disadvantaged young people (‘Littles’). ‘Littles’ are aged between 7 and 17, and generally lack adult involvement and support in their lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters are currently working with young people in northern and western suburbs of Adelaide and are always in need of great new mentors/volunteers. If you think you have some time and energy to offer a young person in need we would love to hear from you. (We provide all the necessary training as well as ongoing support for our volunteers.)

Call us at the YWCA of Adelaide on 8227 0155 or bbbs@ywca.com.au

'Big Brothers Big Sisters is based on the simplicity and power of friendships. All young people need to feel valued and important. Having an objective friend who listens and spends quality time with a child gives them a sense of value and worth'.

BIG BROTHER VOLUNTEERS ARE IN STRONG DEMAND DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF BOYS ON OUR WAITING LIST - PLEASE CALL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED OR CAN NOMINATE SOMEONE THAT CAN TAKE ON THIS REWARDING ROLE.

 

Click here to view our new Community Service Announcement   Thanks to the generous support of the following companies and individuals who volunteered their time and services to produce the Big Brothers Big Sisters advertisement: • Black Sheep – script and project coordination • Monkeystack - animation • Bryan Brown – voice over • Luke Gobson – music composition • Tracks Adelaide – sound production and final mix • Oasis Post – final production • The South Australian Film Corporation – voice record

What is it?

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a professional, volunteer mentoring program for young people who lack adult role models and support. Qualified staff carefully recruit, screen and train volunteer applicants to be uniquely matched to a young person.

‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ spend regular weekly time together, often on weekends, and doing things that they enjoy. Some activities they have enjoyed are kicking the football, playing basketball, going to the movies, going on day trips, driving to the beach, walking the dog and generally having fun. These activities assist each match to develop a healthy and supportive 1:1 friendship.

We are a unique program in Adelaide and pride ourselves on:
• Taking an early intervention approach
• Providing quality support, supervision and resources to each unique match
• Being cost-effective by sourcing mentors from the community
• Being proactive and self-empowering
• Supporting and liaising closely with all parties about matches
• Our professional and thorough approach to screening and matching
• Our long-term approach and committment

How and when did Big Brothers Big Sisters establish in Adelaide?

The Australian Government, Department of Family and Community Services funded Big Brothers Big Sisters (BB-BS) Australia Ltd. to support the YWCA of Adelaide to establish the program to service the Inner Northern suburbs and the Adelaide CBD in July 2003. Big Brothers - Big Sisters has now extended its reaches to the Port Adelaide/Enfield Council Area.

The Big Brothers -Big Sisters program is the largest and most prominent providers of mentor services internationally and has been operating in Australia since 1982.

Who is eligible?

'Bigs' (volunteer mentors)

Big Brothers and Sisters are adults who come from all walks of life, married, single, with or without children. They are someone to trust, someone to talk to and to have fun with. We are looking for males and females who:
• Are mature and responsible
• Live within or close to, or are willing to travel to the Salisbury Local Council Area click here>> or the Port Adelaide Enfield Local Council Area click here>> to see a map of the region
• Have a driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle (not essential)
• Possess good general health and mobility
• Has time to devote to a Big Brother -Big Sister friendship
• Has prior experience or regular contact with young people
• Is able to commit up to 1-4 hours a week to see the young person for a minimum of 12 months
• Has discussed potential involvement in the program with partners, own children and significant others
• Is willing to consent to screening and access agency support during involvement in the program

'Littles' (clients referred)

Little Brothers and Sisters share the need for someone in their life to help strengthen their self-worth and their relationships at home, school and within the wider community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is designed to be of greatest assistance to young people who are isolated and need additional adult support and friendship.

Current funding allows us to work with 7-13 year olds who live in the Salisbury Local Government Area and 7-17 year olds who live in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Local Government Area.

We will be starting to take referrals in the Tea Tree Gully Local Government Area soon.

All young people involved in the program take part in a voluntary capacity and have time available to spend with their mentor. The 'Little' must also be willing and able to engage in a meaningful relationship with an adult mentor.

Parent/guardian permission is required for young people to be involved in the program.

What are the benefits?

‘Littles’ benefit:
The Big Brothers Big Sisters program has had hugely rewarding results. In 1995 an impact study of Big Brothers Big Sisters in the United States found that children participating in the program did better than unmatched children in several key areas.

Little Brothers and Sisters are:
• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 53% less likely to skip school and 37% less likely to skip a class
• More confident in their performance in school work
• Less likely to hit someone
• Able to Interact better with their families

(Tierney, J Grossman, J Resche N; Making a Difference Public/Private Ventures 1995)

‘Bigs’ benefit:
The role of a Big Brother or Sister is fun and most rewarding. To know that you have made a contribution to the community by becoming a valuable part of a young person's life is incredibly satisfying.

How can I help?

Contact the Program Manager to enquire about getting involved:

• As a corporate sponsor to expand the program and to help more 'unmatched' young people on our waiting list
• As a volunteer mentor
• With fundraising
• With promotion, advertising and marketing
• To organise group outings
• To make a client referral

Donations of $2 or over to the YWCA of Adelaide for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program are tax deductible. Please feel free to download the program donation form from this site in pdf format.

How do I get involved?

Contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters Team to request an information pack.

Address: 17 Hutt Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8227 0155
Fax: (08) 8227 0166
Email: bbbs@ywca.com.au or

Program Manager:

Jo Case

Project Officers:

Caroline Screen (City of Salisbury)


Amy Delahunty (City of Port Adelaide Enfield)

Amy Bruce (City of Port Adelaide Enfield)

Outing Ideas for 'Bigs'

• Mountain bike riding
– Free 2 hour bicycle hire at Bicycle SA, Hurtle Square
• Watch a local football match
• Build a kite
• Shoot some hoops
• Picnic & day trip to the country
• Go for a coastal drive
• Kick the football
• Dust off a board game
• Invent a recipe in the kitchen (challenge the TV chefs)