A charity is looking for volunteers to bring it closer to its goal of mentoring 1,000 of the Island's youths.

YouthNet, which mentors youngsters between the ages of five and 22 in 24 schools, is only 70 students short of its January goal.

The charity's executive director Claire Mello told Hamilton Rotary yesterday: "The theme of our organisation is 'unlocking the potential in young people'. As mentors, we are the nurturers of that potential. People ask, 'can one hour a week really make a difference?' I think the answer is 'yes, it can'. At every stage of your life you have something of value to share with a child."

Mentors of all ages are welcomed to join. According to Ms Mello, current volunteers range from high school age to 88.

"At the end of each year we ask our young people how they feel about their mentors, the programme, and what they learnt," she said. "They told us that the mentors made them better people. [They taught them] to not let anyone put them down [and helped] them to trust people."

Webster Tucker has volunteered with YouthNet for approximately four years. "My experience working with YouthNet is really unbelievable," he said. "Imagine walking down the street and a child runs up to you and hugs you because you're their mentor. I find it a really great experience."

There is a need for more male volunteers, he added.

"Half of the kids in my classes are from single parent homes. It's unbelievable. We need more male mentors. In my experience, [the youths] don't show the females as much respect as they do me as a male mentor."

Because the organisation works with children as young as five, some of those involved have never been in a school environment before. "When you get them in a controlled environment for the first time, many of the children don't have the discipline yet. In my classes I always have one child who acts up," said Mr. Tucker. "I love it because it's a challenge. Before the school year is out, the student has become a part of the class. "If you're interested, please give us a call. It's an experience you will never regret."

For more information visit www.youthnet.bm.