The Lighthouse
Project
The Lighthouse Project aims to provide light, direction and hope to the lives of people who have experienced homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Mentoring is one-to-one support, provided face-to-face, over the phone or via video link. It helps people to build confidence and self-esteem, reduce isolation, and achieve goals.
 
Mentoring lasts for at least six months, to give people the time they need to create meaningful, lasting change.
We also have the Lighthouse Group, a weekly meeting that provides additional support and a chance to make friends. Anyone who has ever received support from The Lighthouse Project can attend this group for as long as they need it.
Aims
The Lighthouse Project aims to provide light, direction and hope into the lives of the individuals we mentor over a period of three to six months.
This non-judgemental, professional relationship increases mentees’ confidence, reduces social isolation, improves mental and physical health and provides access to practical help.
“Mentoring has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on my own life; it's such a rewarding scheme to be involved with. It gives me an immense feeling of achievement to see my mentee achieve a personal goal, knowing my input has assisted them in getting there.”
Make a Referral
Do you know someone that could benefit from this service?
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Please, complete our Mentee Referral if you would like to make a quick and easy referral for yourself or someone that you know.
“As a result of mentoring my mood and my motivation are much higher. My acceptance that I deserve happiness. I never would have said that I deserve a nice home”
Outcomes & Successes
1000
Since 2018, The Lighthouse project has delivered over 1000 hours of mentoring.
All mentees have reported either an improvement in their health and wellbeing or an increase in their self-esteem.
100%
In 2021, 100% of mentees said they felt less lonely as a result of mentoring.
How it works
Recruit
We begin by checking and training volunteers who are suitable for the role.
Once they are ready to start their mentoring, we assess referrals to the service that may need mentoring.
They too may receive some support to prepare them for mentoring as it can be just as daunting for our mentees.
Match
Based on the preferences, interests and needs of both the mentor and mentee, we make a suitable match.
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If it is a face-to-face relationship, the first ‘match’ meeting is made at a neutral and safe place where the Mentoring Coordinator is also present.
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At this meeting we discuss the ‘mentoring agreement’ which outlines boundaries, expectations and timelines.
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If it is a telephone relationship, the mentor makes a ‘test’ call to the mentee to discuss the ‘mentoring agreement’.
Mentor
Once the agreement is made, the face-to-face mentors begin meeting their mentees in a public safe space every week to work towards achieving their set goals.
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Whilst the telephone mentors begin their weekly phone calls instead.
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Both mediums work well and have created life-changing outcomes.
Become a Mentor
We view mentoring as a professional relationship, and relationships are at the heart of creating a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE).
To become a mentor you must be willing to commit to building the relationship with your mentee for the full period of three to six months and also do the following:
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Complete an application form
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Be subject to a DBS check
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Provide two written references
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Attend at least five hours of training
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Attend a monthly Reflective Space with other experienced mentors
If you are interested in this role, please:
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“I couldn’t have asked for a better person to be matched with, I now have something to look forward to each week”
Mentors
Our mentors are all volunteers with different backgrounds, beliefs and skills, with or without experience of mentoring.
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Our mentors meet face-to-face, online or over the phone with the person they’re supporting. Meetings will take place every week or fortnight, for one to two hours. Mentoring lasts for a minimum of six months, to give people time to make real and lasting change.
Mentors support, encourage, provide a new point of view, and most importantly of all listen to the person they’re supporting
“It was good to have at least one person I could talk to in my contacts. I probably could have contacted her more but when I did use it, it was a massive help. It's hard for me to reach out to people so if I was struggling I wouldn't.”
Mentees
The people we support have all been homeless at some time in their lives, or are currently at risk of becoming homeless.
 
They often have many different difficulties to tackle, and have experienced trauma in their lives. Many face social isolation, some have a history of contact with the justice system, substance use difficulties, learning difficulties or are neurodiverse, and many have ongoing physical or mental health problems.
However, the people we support at The Lighthouse Project are also strong, smart and talented. We know each one has skills and potential, and we’re here to help them achieve their goals and build up confidence in themselves.
