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swindonlink.com • July 2012 35
Youth support project now recruiting mentors Swindon: The Opera
A memorable journey through 60
Swindon-based charity Swindon Mentoring And Self Help (SMASH) has been training and supporting years of Swindon’s history since the
volunteer mentors for 13 years to work one-to-one with vulnerable young people, and is looking for its
next intake of trainee mentors to start a course in July. Queen’s coronation with the Janice
Thompson Performance Trust
Project coordinator Rob Chap- targets, as well as grounding in the didn’t turn up, and this is a huge
pell is convinced that time spent specific issues that many young mark of success because she was out
with young people who may be people face, plus strategies to deal and about with her mates instead.
struggling with bereavement, may with these. She’s off to university in September
have been in trouble with the law, Rob explained: “All our men- and has promised to return to help Photo: www.puttyfoot.com
or be excluded from mainstream tors are supervised as they go, and SMASH with some promo video
education, always pays off. come in to see us every six weeks. later on.”
He said: “Our mentors are ordi- Our longest serving mentor is on The next training programme
nary people with a bit of life experi- their ninth mentee right now, and has been funded by Nationwide Steam Museum
ence who are able to give up a couple I can’t imagine a better way to give Building Society. Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th July
of hours a week to help a young voluntary time.” For details of becoming a SMASH 2.30pm & 7.30pm
person achieve whatever personal One of the project’s recent success mentor call 01793 879297 or mail: Tickets from 01793 466637 or
goals they might have – which can stories is about Melanie, who first [email protected] mail: [email protected]
range from getting themselves out came into contact with SMASH www.swindontheopera.co.uk
of the house or getting into college. five years ago. Rob said: “When
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Keeping SMASH going, from left, Julie Mycock, administrator,
Carrie Lewis, project worker, Rob Chappell, project manager
“All the youngsters have chosen we first met Melanie she was ago- WE REPAIR Steamed-Up
to be with SMASH and are looking raphobic and hadn’t left her house
for a real person to guide them. If for a year. She was missing out on Windows, Broken Hinges -
you can stick with it and be patient, her education and was effectively
it always works.” falling down a big hole. Handles - Locks
The project currently has a wait- “We matched her to a mentor
ing list of 28 young people hoping and soon discovered she had a
to be matched with a mentor. talent to produce videos in her NO CALL OUT CHARGE! NO MINIMUM CHARGE!
Rob said: “If we can get 15 to 20 bedroom. After working with us
additional mentors we’d be over for two years, Melanie got herself SAMPLE PRICE LIST:
the moon.” back into college.
Mentor training includes basic “I recently invited her to come Failed Sealed Units from only
listening skills, and how to set along and film our AGM, but she
£25 inc fitting & VAT
Carrying the torch for Smash Replacement Handles from

Norman Butler from £35 inc fitting & VAT
Westlea will be carrying Replacement Hinges from
the Olympic flame in Lewi-
sham, South London on 23 £55 inc fitting & VAT
July, a few days before the Replacement Locking systems from
Games opening ceremony.
He was nominated to £60 inc fitting & VAT
take part in recognition of
his voluntary work to raise See clearer, feel warmer, get better protected
awareness and money for
SMASH which included
taking part in a boxing
match and learning how
to be a comedian.
He’s keen to visit schools, Free survey:0800 61 22 943
sports clubs, businesses email: [email protected]
and other organisations
to talk about the work of www.windowgeeks.co.uk
Norman, right, receiving tips on carrying the SMASH. Contact Norman Our glass comes with a 10 year guarantee
Olympic flame from his neighbour Ben Fox on 079172 63917.

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