Grove ConneX
Grove
ConneX is Grove's mentoring scheme. It began in 1998
and under the energetic and skillful leadership of Jenny
Horner has grown into an outstanding organisation providing
individual support and guidance to over 80 students.
Many students benefit from having an adult unconnected
with their home or school who will give the time to listen,
advise and support, and in whom they can confide.
The majority of mentors are volunteers from the local
community who give their time and experience to come into
school to spend time with students who are need of support. These
can be students facing difficulties in either their home
and/or school lives but guidance is also offered to those
looking for help in their pursuit of career ambitions. In
addition peer mentors are students at Grove - usually Grove
College - who give up time to support and advise younger
people. Support staff and teachers from the school
may also act as mentors.
Our mentors have access to the ASDAN training course ‘The
Volunteer in the Community’ through links with with
Telford College of Art and Technology. As the scheme
has developed we have forged important links with the Youth
Inclusion Support Panel, North Shropshire Youth Forum,
local churches, health advisers and the North Shropshire
Community Safety Group.
ConneX is recognised as a model of good practice and we
have been pleased to offer advice and guidance to other
schools and colleges looking to start similar schemes.
The tremendous success of the scheme is due very largely
to Jenny Horner and we were all delighted in 2004 when
she received the MBE in recognition of her work. Three
separate evaluations of the scheme during 2003-04 were
all very positive,
Grove ConneX cannot survive without volunteers and we
appreciate enormously the generosity shown by volunteer
mentors. If you are interested in becoming a mentor,
please phone Jenny Horner at the school on 01630 652121.
