When a mentor does more harm than good

A new study argues that those volunteering to help young people should always be trained and qualified When Helen fell pregnant at 15, her life was turned upside down. While her friends were out clubbing, she was stuck at home with a baby. She began to feel isolated and depressed. So it was a great relief when her health visitor invited her to join a support group for teenage mothers, especially when she was assigned one-to-one support from a mentor. As well as providing a listening ear, 20-year-old Tamsin, a youth worker and herself a young mother, would be able to advise her on education and training opportunities. They met weekly at first, on neutral ground and Helen was grateful for the support. Alarm bells started ringing when she was invited to her mentor's flat one evening. As she smoked cannabis, Tamsin told Helen... [read full story]