Existing resources

The Icehearts Europe manager is in charge to ensure the solid ad hoc training and support for the Icehearts Europe mentor. 

This training can be completely or partly delegated. While including information on the local context and the relevant regulatory framework, the training shall focus on the following core elements:

An online training tool is available in 6 languages for all Icehearts Europe mentors to take – in addition to National tailored training:

BEST ADVICE FROM PILOT PARTNERS REGARDING LOCAL TRAINING OF MENTORS:

• Complement the online training with in person trainings and keep it playful.
• Through the first on-boarding in person training:
  • ensure all mentors will be on the same page (taking into account their various background)
  • start creating teh condition for a supportive network
• Tailor the in person training to cover key topics that are related to your own country and context regulation including: 
  • Child safeguarding/Child Protection, 
  • Psychosocial mentoring and counselling
  • Leading sport activity
  • Designing the activity plan
• Include every two months group supervision discussion to facilitate exchange of good practice and challenges between the mentors.
• You may think of inviting experts from the Icehearts Europe so yoru mentors hear from the “original source”

BEST ADVICE FROM EXPERT PARTNERS REGARDING LOCAL TRAINING OF MENTORS:

A well-developed local training shall:

1. Repeat the key message:
   1.  “The main task is to be present and to focus on the child.”

• Develop context specific training
  • “Keep things simple. Keep the focus on the children/young person.”
  • Use knowledge and expertise around you: “For example, Futbol Mas collaborating with the University of Seville in the area of mentor training and the recruitment of volunteer mentors (internship)”

• Provide opportunity to
  • Develop support network – “Share with peers.” Encourage sharing experiences and insights with peers through scheduled supervision, meetings and ongoing training. “Use your hearts, not only your minds…”
  • Make the mentor feel special: “The   mentor   should   feel   that   he/she has an impact on the lives of children in the team, have an understanding of resources and support. Make them visible.”

Should you wish to go further, examples of local and national training strategies and agenda for ad hoc training of mentors are available for download at the end of this module. 

Suggested on-going support system

Based on previous experiences, it is necessary for the well-being of the mentors to provide -besides the ad hoc onboarding training- ongoing support to the Icehearts Europe mentors. This can take many forms depending on the needs of your mentors as well as the resources available to you.