An example of a highly effective peer mentoring scheme outside a school situation is STAGE2 – a Birmingham-based Youth Theatre Company for young people between the ages of 9-21 and a shining working example of teamwork, inclusion and peer mentoring in practice. The company currently has 185 members, 12 of whom are Peer Mentors.

“Some people find this hard to believe – but I assure you, bullying simply doesn’t happen at Stage2 because we have such a strong mentoring culture … if people see a situation brewing, everyone just wades in. As soon as you give young people responsibility – they just totally ‘get it’!”
Colin Kerrigan, Stage2 Mentor Scheme Co-ordinator

Stage2 has been run by Liz Light for the past 21 years … she set up the company at the age of 16 and from the very outset stood by the number one rule: no one should ever be left out. “Even now, its not just about the drama but about providing all kinds of opportunities for young people.” Liz explains. “Acting is just one element of the things we achieve here – our young people are given the chance to develop skills across the board from lighting, and backstage to marketing, PR, fundraising, events management and even counselling.”

With mentoring already integral to how the company was run, it was a logical development to introduce a recognised Peer Mentoring programme. Some of the students had seen this work well in their own schools and helped introduce a programme to the company. With the support of MBF training, Stage2 has now become the first Youth Theatre Company to achieve Approved Provider Standard.

Colin Kerrigan is extremely proud of this achievement “The Peer Mentors are a chosen team who have been through a formal recruitment process including written application forms, interviews and training… we don’t approach people to be Mentors as we believe the nature of the role requires them to be self-nominating.”

All new members to the company are given a peer mentor through a buddy scheme. Mentoring takes place across the age groups increasing the confidence of the younger ones by having the opportunity to mix with older members from their very first day. Should any member need to speak to their Mentor outside of Stage2, they can be contacted through a dedicated team email address.

As one parent noted: “The complete acceptance of individuals and their needs, abilities and eccentricities is combined with high expectations in terms of behaviour, commitment and effort. We are profoundly grateful to the team.”

Colin concludes:
“I truly believe that each and every organisation and business in the country should have a Peer Mentoring scheme … the rewards are incredible and the fundamental principal totally straightforward it all boils down – quite simply - to “treat others how you yourself wish to be treated…”
http://www.stage2.org/index.php