Young people gain ‘Big Brother’ mentors with Freemasons’ support

SIXTY young people in Oxfordshire who would benefit from a stable and trusted volunteer ‘Big Sibling’, will receive help and support thanks to a grant from Oxfordshire Freemasons to the Oxford Hub charity.

The £60,000 grant will support Oxford Hub’s Big Brothers Big Sisters programme, which creates long-term mentoring and friendships that support disadvantaged young people to thrive in life. These positive relationships have a lasting influence on young people’s lives, boosting their self-esteem and helping them to achieve their goals.

The “Big Sibling”, the adult volunteer mentor, and young people “Little Siblings” spend time together once a week, going on trips, helping them with homework or doing fun activities together – whether that’s learning guitar, perfecting their front crawl, planning a day trip to London or learning how to cook.

The funding will make a significant difference in the lives of these young people and their families by enabling 60 young people a year to be involved through the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme, which also involves a week-long summer residential. The grant will pay for volunteer outreach, training and support, as well as the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme manager who works closely with Oxfordshire County Council to take referrals for the programme.

Big Brothers Big Sisters supports many different children, for different reasons – whether they are a young carer, impacted by financial instability, or are supported by Oxfordshire children’s services – we work with Oxfordshire County Council and local schools to match young people on the programme.

Having a trusted adult’s support can lead to improved mental well-being, increased resilience against adverse experiences, and increased educational outcomes. No matter what the Little Sibling may be struggling with day-to-day, Big Sibling volunteers provide them with the stability of an additional positive role model, the chance to take part in new and different opportunities, and a chance to have 1:1 time supported by an adult, doing fun activities together.

The grant from Oxfordshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Amy Lockwood, Oxford Hub CEO, said:

“We’re very grateful to Oxfordshire Freemasons for their generous grant. Whilst some areas of Oxfordshire are among the most affluent in the country, there is a high level of inequality across the county with other parts being in the top 20 per cent of deprivation nationally. Financial instability and inability to access opportunities can have lasting impacts on young people. “Big Sibling” volunteers will work with their “Little Sibling” match, to decide together what activity they would like to do, and can provide a wide range of activities they may not otherwise get the opportunity to take part in.”

Prof. Stephen Tucker from Oxfordshire Freemasons said:

“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Oxford Hub with their hugely important programme helping disadvantaged young people. It’s hard to overestimate the importance of positive adult role models for children and young people and the Hub’s programme can help a young person brought up in poverty or with domestic abuse. It can, quite literally, be life-changing.”