YOUTH mentoring charity SMASH (Swindon Mentoring & Self Help) is recruiting a new group of adult mentors for 2013.

Although places are filling up fast, the charity is still looking for committed individuals who can spare a couple of hours a week to volunteer.

Each adult will become a mentor to a young person aged between 13 and 19 who lives in the area. There are more than 20 young people on SMASH’s waiting list.

Former mentee and now trustee, Luke Withington said: “Before I went through, I was not in a good state at all, for multiple reasons. SMASH helped me look at situations with an external perspective and showed me a new angle on things. “Walking out the other end of this project, I was a changed person: a lot more grown up, a lot more independent and more understanding with all sorts of things.

“SMASH does a world of good for so many young people. Anyone who can get involved will receive a warm welcome, good training, and the power to not only improve one life but the lives of an entire family.”

Through no fault of their own the prospective mentees are not getting the support and encouragement they need to get the best out of their education and life in general. Many of them have lost one parent or have a parent who is unable to offer them all they need.

Project manager Rob Chappell said: “When they arrive they tell me what they can’t do. We help them discover what they can do.

“Our mentors are extraordinary, ordinary people who want to make a difference. Hundreds have come forward over the years to support young people who’ve made the decision to change their lives. “This will be our 27th team of mentors to go into training – and between them we’ve provided mentors to over 1,000 young people.”

To find out more email admin@smashyouthproject.co.uk or call Joshua Chesterman on 01793 729748.