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Chief Executive and Founder - Andrea Maddocks

Many people ask me why I set up Mentor Link and the
simple answer is that I was looking for a new challenge and took careers
advice where it was suggested that I mentor young adults in school. In
2002 I volunteered at my local school (the then Bewdley High School) and
soon realised that not only was there a great need within schools for this
type of service, but this was something that I loved. Five years on I am
still delighted that people not only want to help pupils that face
difficulties, but also they have a natural ability with them. We have many
volunteers from mums to rugby players to retired members of the community
and they all have one thing in common- they listen and want to make a
difference to young people.
I am proud to say that we now have 13 members of staff
and 200 volunteer mentors helping over 250 pupils each week. Thank you to
all our staff, volunteers and Trustees for their continued hard work and
support of the work of Mentor Link.
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Volunteer
Recruiter/Co-ordinator for The Wyre Forest – Claire Quinn
My name is Claire and I work as a Volunteer
Recruiter/Co-ordinator based a Baxter College. Since joining
Mentor Link in February 2005, I have been overwhelmed by the range
of challenges facing young people today. It has changed my
perception entirely in that they are “children with problems” and
not “problem children”. Hearing about the difficulties some young
people encounter every day certainly puts car troubles and my 5
year old refusing to get dressed into perspective.
Speaking to mentors on a daily basis, it is
clear that they get as much out of mentoring as their mentees.
Mentor Link is privileged to have a diverse mix of mentors – from
18 to 78, students, employees, parents and those retired, they all
bring a wealth of qualities and life experiences to our charity.
If you can spare as little as half-an-hour a
week and would link to know more about becoming a volunteer mentor
in the Wyre Forest area, please contact me on 07973 572 768 or at
cquinn@baxtercollege.worcs.sch.uk
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Karen
Warwick – Appointment Administrator at Baxter College
My name is Karen Warwick and I am covering Jo Beacham’s
maternity leave as Appointments Administrator at Baxter College.
Filling Jo’s shoes has been interesting and challenging and I love
working in the school environment and meeting all the children
with their diverse challenges. The mentors are a fantastic group
of committed individuals who add to the pleasure of my job. I
have three children and come from a background in the Health
Service and in my spare time I enjoy quilting and walking.
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Liz
Collier – Appointment Administrator Ridgeway Middle School and St
Bedes Roman Catholic Middle School
In April 2008 I began as a volunteer mentor at
Ipsley CE Middle School and have recently started working in the
Appointments Administration role. I enjoy working in school and
helping support the pupils in their learning environment. Liaising
with the Mentors, pupils and school staff is varied and
challenging but also rewarding.
Originally from the West of Scotland, I moved to
Redditch 12 years ago and am now married with a 4 year old
daughter and a puppy Jack Russell. Any free time is spent walking
with the pup, reading books and catching up with friends. I also
enjoy writing & illustrating short stories for my daughter.
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Helen
Potter - Appointment Administrator at Elgar Technology College
Hi, I am Helen Potter the Appointments
Administrator at Elgar Technology College in Worcester. In the
last six months since joining Mentor Link, I have become aware of
the vital need for mentoring. Some children have a particular
problem they need help in dealing with, but for others it is just
everyday life they need a little support and guidance to deal
with. I am amazed at the number of mentors who steadily come in
week after week giving support and encouragement to their regular
pupil/s. They build up good rapport and want to guide ‘their
child’ through school life and help them succeed in exams and
encourage them to make the right choices after school. Many
mentors have grown up children of their own and have learnt
through their own life experiences. Some of these children have
little or no support from their own home background and their
mentor is a vital part of their life.
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Chris
Tompkin – Trainer
Hello. I joined Mentor Link as trainer in November 2008 and
deliver induction training to prospective mentors as well as to
peer mentors in schools. My background is in Teaching, Social Care
and Staff Development. I am also an active mentor and find this
experience very helpful when delivering training.
Living in Stourport I am married with two grown up children and
have four lovely grandchildren. My interests include golf,
cricket, rugby, music and cooking.
Apart from thoroughly enjoying being a grandparent I am
treasurer of Wilden church, a member of Areley Kings Players, play
in a local band and generally enjoy a quiet retirement!
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Del
Bell - Secretary for Mentor Link
Hello my name is Del and I began working as a
volunteer mentor at St John’s Middle School in 2005. A Secretarial
job became available within Mentor Link based and I applied
because I wanted to become more involved with the charity and was
really pleased to be offered the job.
I am married with two grown up sons and have two
adorable grandsons and in July 2007 I will become a grandmother
again for the third time. Over the last three years I have been to
college to study Indian Head Massage, Reflexology and Swedish Body
Massage, which I do in my spare time. I also enjoy swimming and
badminton which helps me to keep fit.
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Karen
Arnold - Volunteer Recruiter/Co-ordinator for Redditch and
Worcester area
I have worked for Mentor Link for the
past 4 years. In my experience, everyone has a unique
quality within themselves, and their experience of life can
enhance the development of the Mentee. I support Volunteer Mentors
from recruitment through to their initial placement as a mentor
and beyond.
When I do find time to relax with my
husband and 4 children, I enjoy rugby league, (Huddersfield
Giants), Gardening, Classical Music and Embroidery.
If you are
interested in becoming a Volunteer Mentor and would like to find
out more, you can contact me on 0787 5438659 or email
mentorlink@fsmail.net
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Zoë
Elkin- Finance Officer
I am Zoë, the Finance Officer and started working for Mentor
Link in November 2007. The job title probably says it all, I
qualified as a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians
in 2001.
This job means I can now put all my training to good use. It
also means my teenage sons can grab a lift to school occasionally.
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Alison
Spall - Appointment Administrator, The Bewdley School
I am Alison and last year I was a volunteer mentor at Baxter
College. I was attracted to the role because I strongly supported
the aims and ethos of the charity and wanted to use my experience
to help young people locally. I found the experience both
challenging and rewarding. When the Appointments Administrator
post at The Bewdley School recently became available, I thought it
would be an interesting and varied post, which it is certainly
proving to be. I am finding it particularly helpful that I have
been a mentor myself which provides me with a good understanding
of the role and expectations of mentors.
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Jo
Beacham- Fundraiser for Mentor Link
My name is Jo Beacham and I have worked for Mentor Link for 4
years, first as Appointment Administrator for Baxter College and
now in my new role as Fundraiser. I am part of the Mentor Link
fundraising team, and am very much enjoying my new role. It is
exciting and varied and we are planning lots of events over the
coming months. If you would like to know a full list of the
events we are planning or would like to get involved you can
contact me on 01299 400616 or email
jo_mentorlink@talktalk.net When I’m not working I have a very
busy and fulfilling life looking after my three beautiful young
children.
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Alison
Davies- Appointment Administrator for Ipsley, Birchensale and
Church Hill Middle School
Hi, I’m Alison Davies
and I’m the Appointments Administrator for Ipsley CE, Church Hill
and Birchensale Middle Schools in Redditch. I started with Mentor
Link in October 2009 and I’m really enjoying my job. Liasing with
the pupils, mentors and staff keeps me busy in a very varied role.
I am married with two young children and a dog. In my spare time
I enjoy reading, gardening and cake decorating.
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Louise
Brown-Knott- Appointment Administrator at King Charles 1 School
Kidderminster
I am Louise and I have been
Appointments Administrator at King Charles 1 School since November
2009 I became aware of Mentor Link five years ago when I
volunteered as a Mentor at the then Bewdley High School. I
enjoyed the experience immensely. This time gave me insight in
to the challenges young people can face and the rewards both they
and their mentors experience from the relationship. I am still
amazed at the positive impact just half an hour a week can have
and I would urge anyone who can spare the time to give it a go. I
am Mum to two boys aged 5 and 3 and also a qualified Holistic
Therapist. In my spare time I’m a keen horse rider and enjoy
spending time in the great outdoors.
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