Queer Mentoring Programme
Information about the Queer Mentoring Programme
What it is: The Mentoring Programme is available for any student who is coming out, embracing a new sexual identity, questioning their sexuality, or unsure of their sexual identity. Participants are matched up with an appropriate mentor, who can provide a role model as someone who is comfortable with themselves, share experiences of their own and help participants make sense of their situation.
What it is not: The Mentor Scheme is not
- a crisis line
- a counselling service
- a dating service
Who runs it: The Scheme is a joint venture between the Student Counselling Service, the VUWSA Queer Rep and UniQ.
Who are the mentors? All mentors are students at Victoria University, who themselves have gone through the process of coming out. They cover a range of sexual orientation identities such as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.
How to make contact: Phone the Queer Officer Nathan Cooper (04) 4636980 during office hours or email Queer.Officer@vuwsa.org.nz. After finding out what you need, Nathan will put you in touch with an appropriate mentor, who will contact you by phone or email and arrange to meet you.
The mentor’s responsibilities to you:
- Your mentor will treat you with respect and confidentiality.
- Your mentor will meet with at least once a month on a one-to-one basis.
- Your mentor will also talk with you by phone or email.
- Your mentor will attempt to answer your questions honestly and with understanding.
- If unsure, your mentor will seek advice and support from the Co-ordinator and/or the mentors’ group.
Your responsibilities to the mentor:
- You are expected to treat the mentor with respect.
- You will not ‘out’ the mentor to others without permission.
- You will respect the privacy of the mentor and be reasonable about the timing and frequency of contact.
- It is expected that the mentoring relationship will cease after a period of time.