What were you doing when you were six? Playing with friends, learning new letters, trying to tie your shoelaces?

How about when you were nine? Writing more complex sentences, dodging hands in chasey, working on that difficult maths problem?

Did you experience these moments throughout your childhood? More importantly, did you have positive role models supporting and encouraging you along the way? Who were the people who celebrated your achievements or listened when you had problems with friends? These supporters weren’t only parents, teachers or counsellors, and they weren’t superheroes with magical powers. They were the kind people who knew you, cheered for you in good times, and helped you through challenges. They might have been the Aunty, the youth leader, a church family, the neighbour, the family friend. They had fun with you, listened, encouraged, and supported you. Most importantly, they were simply there to help when you needed them. These wider circles of support are key in helping children navigate life.

There are kids in our schools struggling socially, emotionally and academically, while schools often lack enough resources to help them. Expanding the circle of support for these kids would make the world of difference, allowing them to grow in confidence, feel valued, and flourish. We can make their circle bigger.

UPBC is starting Kids COACH, a mentoring program at Goodwood Primary. During school hours, Mentors commit one hour per week to support one child over one year. Could you be a Kids COACH mentor? You don’t need to be a teacher, counsellor or superhero. You just need to be a kind friend with a purpose, to be in their corner.

Emily Hoet

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash