As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, our team has been reflecting on the contribution that our volunteer mentors make to our L2P and MATES programs and our own experiences of mentoring in these programs. Put simply, without volunteers, these two programs would not exist.
Our Board of Management are all volunteers who donate their time to the governance of our organisation. Having local representatives and a place-based Board allows organisations like ours to maintain local interest and be a better representation of the communities we work in.
Our organisation is currently supported by six staff and 72 volunteers. These numbers alone highlight the importance of volunteers at Central Grampians LLEN. In 2025, our mentors supported 62 learners in the TAC L2P Program and 60 students in the MATES Mentoring program. Combined, they contributed over 2,213 volunteer hours to our programs.
As well as coordinating our volunteer programs, CGLLEN staff members are also MATES and L2P mentors. What came out of necessity when we first introduced the MATES program in the uncertain times of the pandemic, has led to one of the most rewarding parts of many of our roles. Although we mentor within our work time, providing the opportunity for staff to do so has been invaluable. This experience has strengthened our programs by providing us with greater insight as mentors and helping inform continuous implementation improvements. It has also allowed our staff to experience the benefits of mentoring a young person. From my own experience, I can guarantee the benefits are two-way. Mentoring has allowed our whole team to connect with our volunteers, building a stronger culture across our whole organisation.
“As a MATES mentor, it’s great to have a connection with the students and to feel like you’re making a difference for them.”- Shelly
“I’ve been a MATES mentor since we first started the program. It’s so rewarding to be able to step out of the office for an hour each fortnight and see the smile on your MATES face when they see you arrive at their school.” – Jessie
“I really enjoy providing a consistent stable relationship in a young person’s life through mentoring in both MATES and L2P. You’re somebody they can rely on.” – Benj
“The difference you notice in the kids from when you first meet them to once you’ve built a connection over time through mentoring them is so beautiful to see.” – Nat
“I like to see young people achieve things that they otherwise wouldn’t achieve without a mentor. Seeing their confidence grow and the excitement on their face once they’ve achieved their licence, particularly when they didn’t think they would be able to, is extremely rewarding.” – Mell
Through our MATES Community Champions model, we encourage other local organisations to allow their staff the same benefits. By providing staff with flexible work arrangements to be able to mentor a student in the MATES program during business hours for one hour a fortnight, organisations can give back to local students.
To celebrate National Volunteer Week 2026, we collaborated with Northern Grampians Shire Council, Grampians Community Health and East Wimmera Health Service to launch a shared campaign – My Year to Volunteer. The campaign showcases nominated volunteers from across the Northern Grampians, highlighting their valuable contributions and inspiring others to give back. Two of our mentors, Karen and Clinton, are featured in the campaign video that we encourage you to check out here. It’s impossible to watch the video without a smile on your face!
On behalf of our team, I would like to thank all our volunteer mentors and board members for their commitment to Central Grampians LLEN and the young people we support through our programs.