Being a social networker
connect2gether
There is so much talk of networking it all becomes confusing. We're not talking about social networking on the web.
This isn't about Face book or Bebo or even networking with other organisations this is about real life.
Matching young people who are vulnerably housed or feeling isolated and lonley with volunteers that want to share some time and expereinces and have some fun.
connect2gether is about reconnecting young people with the communities they live within matching young people with a social networker to support more choices, more chances.
Interested in getting involved
Most of our social networker offer about two hours of their time per week to volunteering, however the amount of time committed is up to them and will also depend on the young person they are matched with.
Recruitment
Nightstop are always looking to get more people involved in social networking and recruit pan ayrshire and beyond as long as volunteers are able to travel into the south ayrshire area to get involved. All the young people that use the connect2gether service are from the south ayrshire area.
Matching
After volunteers have completed the application and short training course volunteers will complete a matching profile form which tells us a wee bit more about them and the type of person they would like to be matched with.
All young people who are reffered to connect2gether also complete the matching profile form and are put on the waiting list. Social Networkers are then given a few profiles to look over and a match meeting is arranged. The project manager along with the young person and social networker all attend the match meeting.
Both parties will be contacted after the match meeting, if everybody is happy the match can continue and both parties can arrange to meet up again.
The project expects a 6 month comittement from the social networker. However a match may be short term or continue passed the 6 months committement depending on the young person's housing situation.
Social Networker will be given supervision and support during their match informal support will also be available along with OnCall support 24 Hrs. All social networkers will be given a mobile phone to contact their matched young person and arrange activities as well as contacting the office.
A maximum activity spend of £20 will also be available , however we try and make the activities realistic and sustainable for the young person. If you have an interesting hobby you would like to share with someone please contact the project.
Most of the time it's the small stuff that makes a difference.
Make a difference and get involved
Contact the office at Barns Street or email South Ayrshire Nightstop via the message board or to sanightstop@aol.com
