BIRKENHEAD'S youth hub The Hive is appealing for more volunteers to step up to help some of Wirral's most youngsters.

The youth facility on Bright Street, hopes to recruit 25 volunteer mentors to provide one-to-one support for youngsters over six to 12 months to help them overcome issues.

The programme has been funded by the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation and through public donations received as part of last year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge.

It is hoped that the mentoring programme will enable young people to take control of their lives to achieve their full potential and aims to boost confidence, behaviour improvements and well-being.

All the young people taking part in the programme, some who have extra needs such as autism, anxiety and ADHD, have been referred by The Hive's specialist youth workers.

The Hive’s mentoring co-ordinator Sandra Platt told the Globe: “Mentors can play a transformational role in the lives of young people, who, for many reasons have become disaffected or lack a sense of purpose and self-confidence.

"These are young people who, in some cases, haven’t benefitted from having a regular role model in their lives.

"Our mentors can fill that void, helping young people to believe in themselves and recognise they can achieve something, no matter what challenges they face.

"They empower young people to become more resilient and tackle whatever life throws at them.”

All mentors selected for the programme will receive full training and will strengthen their CVs by developing new skills and mentoring credentials.

As part of the programme mentors and youngsters they are supporting will take regular trips out together in order to help boost engagement.

The Hive’s chief executive Adam Mellor said: “Our volunteer mentors are amazing people who are willing to give up their time to improve the emotional and social well-being of young people who might otherwise face isolation, disenchantment and restricted futures.

"At the same time, being a mentor can give you a sense of purpose and achievement, as well as providing an opportunity to nurture new skills.

"The feedback we’ve had from those on the programme so far has been overwhelmingly positive and we hope more people from the local community will now come forward to play a part in this life-changing initiative.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Hive mentor can contact Sandra Platt: sandra.platt@thehiveyouthzone.org or call 0151 705 8000.