The LGBTIQA+ Mentoring Projects is a peer-support program for community, by community.
Mentoring is about bringing peers together, where someone is wanting support with coming out, staying discreet, transitioning, navigating relationships with family and loved ones, or just finding themselves and a place in community.
Mentoring is for family members too (of origin and/or choice), who are wanting to understand how to support someone in their life who is LGBTIQA+.
People aged 12 years and older can be mentored, and people aged 18 years and older can mentor. This program is not limited to young people, in fact often adults get the most from the program!
This service is FREE and runs both online and in-person. It is currently only accessible to folks living in the Greater Melbourne area.
How does Mentoring work?
The LGBTIQA+ Mentoring Projects provide mentoring peer-support through one-on-one mentoring and group events.
One-on-one mentoring means connecting with another person who is a peer from the LGBTIQA+ community. A mentor might have similar experiences, identities, skills, knowledge, interests, hobbies, activities, community connections, and/or give space to talk about what all this means for you, through mentorship. They are not a professional service and cannot substitute for therapeutic or support work.
Mentoring can include catching up to do an activity together, having a conversation, or having someone to ask questions. This most often occurs for a few hours each month, for six months to a year.
Our team provides support alongside your connection with the mentor, before and throughout the mentorship.
I’m interested in becoming a mentor
First of all, Thank you! This program would not exist without the generosity of our wonderful mentors.
We provide free training to mentors before matching and ongoing support and supervision throughout the mentoring process. Please note mentors are contacted and matched on an as-needed basis, depending on the preference of mentees, so you might not be invited to training straight away. You can Register using the form below, further details will be provided once you sign up.
I’m interested in getting a mentor
Our waitlist is currently open to new sign-ups – you can sign up using the button below.
Please note we currently estimate a 3-4 month wait to access the program. Please note this program only runs in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and we can’t service other areas. You will receive some further information via email once you sign up, so please consider your privacy and safety when entering your details. Professionals signing up their client can also use the link below.
If you have a specific question or request relating to the mentoring projects program, you can reach us at mentoringprojects@ds.org.au