BIG BUDDY

Big Buddy mentoring is based on the simple philosophy that boys need good male role models in their lives to become good men. Unfortunately, many boys do not have a father or other male role model in their lives and while mothers do courageous work in raising their boys alone, they cannot model maleness. And above all else, boys learn through modelling.

A simple solution is to match these boys with a well-screened male mentor who can foster a relationship similar to that of say an uncle; a relationship we hope is for life.

To do this we recruit men from the community to act as voluntary mentors to these fatherless boys. The Big Buddy mentor commits to spending 2-3 hours a week with a boy (Little Buddy, aged 7-14) for at least a year but all going well, for much longer than that. They spend quality time together doing ordinary things like kicking a ball round a park, fishing, walking on the beach or visiting a museum. The content of the outings is not important - just showing up regularly, listening to and being with a Little Buddy is probably the most important gift a Big Buddy gives. They can both have a lot of fun in the process! A regular weekly phone call adds continuity to the relationship.

Big Buddies and Little Buddies are interviewed and screened before they are matched to ensure this will work for them and we provide ongoing support for the relationship.

The idea is simple yet profound in its reach. Just a good man showing up every week into a boy’s life, assuring him another man cares for him and giving him a model of what it means to be a man. No coaching, no psychological behaviour management, no blaming of parents.

Knowing there is a man he can trust to show up and to listen will increase the boy's self-esteem, improve his relationships and give him a sense of place in the world. He will do better at school and he will be less inclined to crime and abuse. The statistics on positive mentoring are clear and compelling.

to see more visit https://www.bigbuddy.org.nz/