TWO years ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters Tumut was officially launched, with Emma Peacock taking on the role of Mentoring Coordinator of the local chapter of the organisation two days a week.
Emma’s goals for the first twelve months were to have five mentor and mentee matches, and to find enough funding to see out a second year of the program. Two years on, Emma has been overwhelmed with the reception of the BBBS Tumut in our region.
“I have always known how incredibly supportive our community is, but I am blown away every single day that I work for Big Brothers Big Sisters, just how much our community supports this program. From our major corporate partners to individual people who have generously given me cash donations, or ring me and offer to run a raffle stall or donate prizes, so many people of all walks of life have donated time, money and skills big and small, and really helped make this program what it is,” said Ms Peacock.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Tumut began when BBBS Australia received seed funding from the NSW state government to set up a new regional program.
“Tumut High School played an integral role in helping push BBBS Australia to choose Tumut as the location for the next program, it’s with huge thanks to them that we have had the opportunity to bring BBBS to our community,” said Ms Peacock.
Part of the agreement was that Tumut High School would provide the Mentoring Coordinator with a space to work from one day per week, which Emma said has been instrumental in her understanding of what issues young people are facing, and how BBBS fits as a piece of the puzzle in supporting young people through their school years.
“It’s been amazing to have this link to the school, and I hope in time to create deeper relationships with each of our schools across the area, as it really helps me understand what’s going on in the lives of our kids and has become a main referral source for me, the wellbeing staff, teachers and I are all able to work together to try and find the best ways to support some of their students. I also love that the mentees know that I’m there of a Monday and often pop in to say hi!” Ms Peacock said.
Emma is delighted to share that not only did BBBS Tumut reach its goals for the first 12 months, but far exceeded them, and two years on, Emma was excited to share where they’re currently sitting, “We have now had 16 young people in total who have been or are currently being mentored, we’ve held over 25 events or fundraising stalls and initiatives, I’ve been invited to speak at over 12 different community events or organisations to help share our mission, we started a pub choir which has been lots of fun, and we’ve formed five corporate partnerships with local leading businesses to help support sustainable funding of the program. My heartfelt thanks to Roddy Engineering, AKD Softwoods, The Bush Chemist, Ray White Tumut and A Murray & Sons for believing in the work we do, and helping support the future of young people in our community.”
The other exciting milestone is that Emma went from working part-time for Big Brothers Big Sisters, transitioning to a full-time role in February this year. “It was a big call, leaving my families business, but now I have the opportunity to give Big Brothers Big Sisters all of my attention to hopefully continue to grow our program and reach more children in our region.”
Expanding the program is next on Emma’s list of goals for BBBS, with her currently working with the Gundagai, Adelong and Batlow communities to recruit more mentors and support more young people in the smaller pockets of our area.
“The Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to end loneliness in Australian children, and I believe that every single young person deserves to have that one person in their corner who supports them, celebrates them, and just walks alongside them throughout life’s ups and downs,” she said.
For those unfamiliar with the program, Big Brothers Big Sisters provides long-term, evidence based, one to one mentoring for disadvantaged and vulnerable youth aged 7 – 17 years old. These young people are matched with a mentor who shares similar interests and hobbies, and they catch up together each week for an hour or two out in the community, doing activities of their choosing. They commit to this for 12 months, with hopes, and often is the case, that they remain friends long after this period.
The ripple effect of the positive impact of mentoring extends out to the entire community.
Reports from established BBBS programs show that for every $1 invested in the program, there is an approximate $23 return to the community, in the form of:
• Lower high school dropout rates.
• Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices.
• Enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence and improved mental health.
• Improved behaviour, both at home and at school.
• Stronger relationships with parents, teachers, and peers.
• Improved interpersonal skills.
• Decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use, antisocial behaviour and children coming into contact with the justice system.
Interested in getting involved? Emma is always on the lookout for new mentors to join the program, with the waiting list for young people always longer than the list of mentors available.
“I think one of my favourite things about what we do is that our mentors are volunteers, which means they show up for their young person because they genuinely want to, not because they’re paid to. They don’t have superpowers, or specific qualities, they’re just average, everyday people who want to give back in a meaningful way. What we do is quite simple, but has the potential to change lives, we provide friendship. Authentic, face-to-face, meaningful friendship to young people who are missing significant support from their social structure. It’s pretty powerful,” Ms Peacock said.
“When you get a phone call from a mother to tell you that for the first time in their life, her son feels safe around an adult male, or when you see firsthand the confidence and happiness grow in a young person who was so shy and frightened at the beginning, it is incredibly motivating to get you out of bed every morning.”
To find out more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, and how you can get involved in the program, you can follow the Big Brothers Big Sisters Tumut NSW Facebook group, email Emma at [email protected] or call her on 0491 891 507.
