Recent blockbusters such as Big Daddy and About A Boy have touched on the theme of mentoring - giving the concept a touch of glamour. But now young people in the Five Valleys can benefit from similar support at the Door Youth Project in Stroud. Reporter Sian Davies spoke to mentoring co-ordinator Keith Fyleman and youth worker Brendan Conboy to find out about this new initiative.

HAVING taken on a co-ordinator, recruited a team of willing mentors and begun the training program, Stroud's Door Youth Project is on the brink of launching its very own mentoring program - the Light at the Door.

The project - aimed at providing extra support and guidance to young people aged 11 to 25 - has been in the pipeline for some time but was held back by funding problems.

However, a recent grant from the Local Network Fund - managed by Gloucestershire Community Foundation - meant the scheme could finally go ahead.

Keith Fyleman, a teacher at Cheltenham College, was employed three months ago to kick-start the project.

"Over many years youth workers here realised there was a real need to work alongside young people on a one-on-one basis because that's what can really make a difference to them," he said.

"Young people often crave attention from someone they can pour their heart out to and having a mentor gives them an opportunity to do that."

At the moment the seven mentoring volunteers - who have all had advanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks to allow them to work with youths - are part-way through a 25-hour training program.

Once the training is complete Keith, a grandfather, plans to go into schools, colleges and youth groups to launch the project.

"We had to have the mentors in place before we signed up any young people but we've broached it with the youths here at the Door and there has been a very positive response to it," he said.

"The people we've signed up so far as mentors are from all walks of life, we've got anything from a landscape gardener to a teaching assistant.

"This is all about lifeskills not professional skills and we want a diverse mix of volunteers because all young people are different."

Brendan, who has been doing youth work for over 20 years, said volunteers can expect to get the same buzz from helping young people as he does.

"You can't really explain the thrill of seeing someone change and grow up when you know that you've played a part in that development," said the 45-year-old, from Brimscombe.

"The positive impact you've given to them is a fantastic feeling - especially when they turn around and tell you 'I'd be dead now if it wasn't for you,' which someone told me once."

Although the most famous mentoring scheme is the American Big Brother Big Sisters program, the Door has modelled its scheme on a project based in Aldershot, which has proved to be a big success.

One 16-year-old girl, who benefited, said: "It is a good feeling to have someone there just for me and it has made me more determined."

And a 22-year-old who took part said it turned his life around.

"It has helped me to look at things from a different perspective, helped me think about things differently and see there is light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

*For more information about mentoring call 01453 756745 or visit www.thedoor.ik.com