Supporting ‘Big Brothers Big Sisters’ of New Zealand - How can we help?

Chelsea from Big Brothers Big Sisters talks to us about the organisations biggest challenges

Big Brothers Big Sisters is New Zealand’s and the world's largest mentoring programme. It has been operating in Aotearoa for twenty five years; with 13 branches, serving 1000 matches each year and 4000 since the programme began here. Their amazing work matches children ages 6 through to 18 in professionally supported one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors. 

Their goal is simple; one hour, once a week, one life.

We spoke to Chelsea, the National Operations Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters, about the organisation, its biggest hurdles and what businesses can do to help. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters believes that every young person can benefit from healthy role models, however some young people are more vulnerable than others, often disadvantaged and needing extra support to help them thrive. Mentoring sessions provide a fun, relaxed time when young people and their mentor can hang out and build a friendship. The programme not only provides support from a caring adult and helps the child to fulfil their potential, but an independent study also found that the children involved in the programme are more likely to succeed in school, behave non-violently and avoid risky behaviours. This represents an $18 social return on investment for every dollar invested in the programme. 

Part of Chelsea’s role is to create new regions for Big Brothers Big Sisters across the Motu, and support existing regions with growth. The biggest hurdles she and the team face are the two ‘M’s - mentors and money. If the programme had unlimited money and mentors the impact on the community for young people facing adversity right across the country would be incredible; they have hundreds, even thousands of Taiohi across the Motu who want and need a mentor in their life. 

So how can businesses help? Big Brothers Big Sisters is completely reliant on funding, sponsorship and donations to deliver their service to the community. All funds raised go towards recruitment, training, matching, supervising and ongoing support of volunteer mentors and young people. They love partnering up with businesses who do social good; through becoming a cornerstone sponsor, sponsoring a match, donating money, products or services, or supporting a local fundraising event. 

Here at Be Seen More we’ve created an innovative new way for businesses to become a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Whānau of supporters, through our podcast empowerment programme. The programme presents a unique opportunity for businesses to support Big Brothers Big Sisters in a way that not only benefits their mentoring programme, but also allows your business to be viewed in a context of social responsibility. Our programme gives a voice to the plight of Chelsea and her team through the medium of video podcasting. It’s a powerful marketing tool for your brand to be viewed in this context, creating meaningful engagement with your potential customers and public recognition for your generosity in supporting the wonderful work of Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

If you’d like to find out more about our podcast empowerment program, how it works and how your business can get involved get in touch with us now - info@beseenmore.co.nz