Become a mentor

You would like to...

contribute to the well-being and integration of a young migrant by creating a relationship of trust and exchange and by sharing special moments together.

regularly share a meal, participate in leisure activities, or show them your hobbies or interests.

give some of your time to a young migrant by regularly offering them a friendly, listening ear and personal guidance.

... and you are someone who:

Anybody over the age of 25 who is a Swiss resident* without a criminal record and who wishes to offer long-term volunteer support to a young migrant.

is aware of the current migratory situation and would like to express your solidarity.
is willing to offer long-term, volunteer support to a young migrant in order to contribute to their personal development.
wants to share special moments with a young person and is willing to listen to them and give them advice.

Existing projects and initiatives

Commiting to a defined length of time to guarantee a quality relationship

Creating a trusting relationship takes time. This is why young migrants and their mentors build long-term relationships by spending a few hours together each month. At the end of 9 months, the two of them decide whether they want to continue the relationship.

Registration form

About the project

Questions that you may be asking yourself

What is my role as a mentor?

As a support figure, you will:

Build a relationship of trust with the young person,
Be available for the child, listen to them, and watch over their well-being,
Keep up individual, personal contact with the young person,
Recognise that the UMR has a say in their own life, and possesses personal resources and skills,
Encourage the personal growth and social integration of the young migrant,
Give advice and guidance if the young person asks for it.

Who could be my protégé(e)?

Any young migrant under 18, boy or girl, who is staying in Switzerland and looking for support.

What can I, as a mentor, offer a young migrant?

By setting “an extra place at your table” or giving some of your time when the opportunity arises, you will be...
... offering your support and a listening ear to a young person who needs someone to talk to
... improving the well-being of the minor by giving them attention and spending time together
... facilitating the social integration of a young person who is stranded in Switzerland without their parents
... encouraging the young person in building their own future
... a point of reference, someone they can turn to and count on, and that they can call when they need to, like a friend would do.
... keeping an eye on how the young person is coming along during your mentorship.

What support will I get during my mentorship?

ISS or a partner organisation will provide support and regular follow-up during the first few months. Volunteers will benefit from:

awareness-raising sessions to prepare them for their role as a mentor,
regular support,
meetings with other mentors to share their experiences.

Awareness sessions will also cover topics like:

Asylum and the situation of UMRs in Switzerland
Thoughts, discussions and questions on the role of a mentor
Communication and inter-cultural experience

View all questions

Become a mentor

You would like to...

... and you are someone who:

Commiting to a defined length of time to guarantee a quality relationship

Registration, the first step towards becoming a mentor