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 “SMILE” – Sutton Mentoring and Independent Leisure Experiences – is our peer mentoring scheme for disabled young people in the London Borough of Sutton.
The scheme was launched at the end of January 2010 and we are now operating a regular programme of activities and events  which are available after school and at weekends during term time and also weekdays during school holidays. The disabled young people will have the opportunity to meet regularly as a group, with all of them individually supported by our trained local teenage volunteers. As they progress, many disabled teenagers will have the option to choose smaller group or individual activities with their mentors within their own leisure time.
 This programme is funded by the Sutton Disability Partnership over a three year term and a new minibus has also been sponsored by the Sutton Youth Opportunity Fund.
The scheme currently covers the whole of Sutton Borough, but our groups will be based at two satellite areas in north and south Sutton once the membership has increased sufficiently.
We source all our young volunteers from local schools and colleges with the help of Sutton Volunteer Centre and the “V-Inspired” programme. They are aged over 14 and undergo our usual safeguarding checks. We provide training for all our volunteers as their help and enthusiasm is vital in supporting the range of activities.
 All activities for our groups are risk assessed by our Leisure Development Co-ordinators (LDC’s) and any special arrangements are made so we can be as inclusive as possible with all our activities and ensure the highest combination of enjoyment and safety.
All referrals into this new and exciting mentoring service need to agreed by Sutton Disability Partnership. If you would like to discuss the possibility of your young person getting involved with this project then please contact your key worker or Sutton Disability Partnership’s Access Point Phone: 020 8410 4690 or by email: accesspoint@sutton.gov.uk
Please contact:
South Sutton LDC: Mary Fox
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