Volunteers wanted for CyberMentors Programme

Cyberbullying is not yet recognised as a major problem as it would seem it is not considered as harmful as physical bullying. But bullying is bullying, no matter how it is done. There is no excuse for it and every year hundreds of thousands of children across the UK are tormented, and with the ubiquity of the internet, on a much more frequent basis.

This is where CyberMentors comes in. CyberMentors is a unique and pioneering service that aims to keep safe the millions of children around the UK who use the internet and mobile phones.

It is a community of young people who volunteer time each week to listen, understand and give advice to young people, just like themselves, who are being bullied, concerned about bullying or are worried about a friend or family member who is being bullied.

The programme, which launched in March 09 has been a phenomenal success with over 150,000 mentoring transactions between users of the site and trained CyberMentors.

The response thus far has been staggering and so CyberMentors are always on the look out for new volunteers. Just two hours a week is all you'll be asked to give, and in return you will get free training, a CRB check and a glowing reference on your CV, not to mention the satisfaction gleaned from knowing you are helping make a difference in the life of a young person who will then go on to make a difference to someone else's.

You will also be entered you into the VInspired Awards programme and there are other excellent ways to get your volunteering accredited.

Beatbullying's Volunteers Manager, Pete Jones, is looking to myplace as an excellent source of potential volunteers.

He said: "Working in partnership with the YMCA, Beatbullying is now seeking to populate CyberMentors with an army of volunteers from myplace projects. Being a CyberMentor volunteer is a fantastic and rewarding way to give back to your community, helping to keep safe some of the most vulnerable and marginalised children and young people affected by bullying and discrimination."

CyberMentors is a part of Beatbullying, the UK's leading bullying prevention charity. Beatbullying has been providing invaluable help and support for victims of bullying since its conception in 1999.

If you are worried about bullying in any way or want to get involved with CyberMentors click the logos below tovisit their websites.