Blog

Mentoring with Belong

Founded in 2010, Belong began as a grassroots organization, mainly delivering mentoring to young people in Greenwich, London. Over a decade later, mentoring interventions form one of Belong’s main interventions, alongside restorative justice and creative...

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An interview with a belong trustee

Belong has 14 dedicated trustees, all volunteers who hold Belong ‘in trust’ for current and future beneficiaries, provide oversight of Belong’s work, contribute to strategic growth, financial controls and risk management.... but what does that really mean? And who are...

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A day in the life of a Belong peer supporter

Although peer support programs have had a long history in UK prisons, in recent years, the sector has benefitted from an increase in research evidencing the benefits of service user involvement in prison programmes. According to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons (2016),...

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Rolling with the punches on placement

I am currently a serving prison officer at HMYOI Aylesbury, an establishment housing approximately 220 18-21 year old males. I was lucky enough to experience a placement with Belong visiting other prisons and seeing the good work they do. As an Unlocked Graduate we...

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Celebrating Belong’s Volunteer Mentors

  Since its launch in 2010, Belong’s mentoring schemes have supported children, young people and adults impacted by crime across the UK. Through mentoring, mentees reduce reoffending, improve their emotional and mental health, report improved relationships, and...

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