People across Ireland are being urged to sign up for Foróige’s Big Brother Big Sister Programme for the upcoming 2025/2026 term. New mentors are needed in all towns and cities across Ireland to support young people aged 10 to 18 who seek guidance and friendship from someone with a little more life experience.
This week, Toyota Ireland and its ambassador, Paul O’Connell, put out the call and since the partnership with Toyota and Foróige began three years ago, over 600 matches have been made. It is hoped there will be even more matches this year.
Since 2022, Toyota Ireland has proudly sponsored the programme, which pairs caring adult volunteers with young people seeking additional support throughout their teenage years. Volunteers are simply asked to spend one hour per week with a young person by getting together for a chat, a walk or an activity of their choice.
A strong relationship with a supportive role model can empower a young person and help build confidence that will benefit them as they grow. Volunteers are assigned as a compatible mentor to a young person and transform their life based on a number of factors.
Recently, the demand for young male volunteers and individuals in rural communities has increased, and Rugby legend Paul O’Connell is encouraging anyone, regardless of their location, who can dedicate just an hour of their week to register their interest in becoming a mentor today. One small action can make a profound difference to a young person – helping them develop a positive sense of self and a brighter future.
As a passionate advocate for mentorship, O’Connell spoke about the importance of the programme.
“As a long-time brand ambassador for Toyota, I’m delighted to back this fantastic partnership with Foróige. The Big Brother Big Sister programme is an incredible initiative that shows how a small amount of time can have such a big impact on a young person’s life. There are so many young people across Ireland who could really benefit from additional support from someone in their community, and I’m encouraging anyone who can spare one hour a week to sign up. That’s all it takes to change a life for the better.”
BECOME INVOLVED
The Big Brother Big Sister programme was launched in Ireland by Foróige in 2001 and has since matched thousands of mentors with young people, providing guidance and support to help them navigate their journey into adulthood. Interested mentors should reach out to Foróige today to discuss the role, arrange an assessment before a suitable match is made – learn more and sign up at bigbrotherbigsister.ie
