Could you help a child build their confidence and self esteem? If so, York children's charity The Island needs you. MAXINE GORDON reports

TEENAGER TJ Headington wants to be a footballer when he grows up – or a chef. The footie-mad 13 year old is wearing a Liverpool FC shirt over his black school trousers and black shoes. He's very chatty, talking about his recovery from a broken leg (brought on by an unfortunate tackle at school) and all the things he likes to do outside the classroom: go on his Playstation, attend a youth club and the cadets, play football with his mates and cooking. "I like making brownies," he says, bursting into a big smile.

That same smile spreads across his face as he talks about some of the activities he has been doing with his mentor Linda Barrie.

Linda is a volunteer with unique York children's charity The Island, which seeks to enhance a child's quality of life through mentoring.

It pairs children with adult volunteers who pledge to spend a couple of hours a week with the young person, often doing fun things which broaden their horizons, give them new experiences, or simply take them away from their problems or concerns – for a little while, at least.

Linda is one of 44 mentors at The Island, but the charity – which marks its 10th anniversary this week – needs many more. There are 73 children waiting for a mentor, and this number is growing all the time. Children can be waiting for two years before they are allocated a mentor. Most children are aged between eight and 13 and come to The Island because of various reasons including problems at school or home, including bullying, low confidence and self esteem, or unsettled family life. Families who think their children might benefit from The Island can apply for a place.

For the past year, Linda and TJ have been having a lot of fun, sometimes alongside Julian, Linda's husband who is also on the mentoring programme.

So what have they been up to? "Bowling, trampolining, and KFC-ing," says TJ – that beaming grin breaking out again.

Linda chips in: "We've been to the Dragon Boat races, watched the Soap Box at Micklegate and TJ's even been on a cookery course."

There's an easiness between the two, which is lovely to see. Linda recognises big changes in TJ. "He's a lot more confident now," she begins. "And he is doing a lot more things – he's so busy, he probably doesn't have time for me now!"

TJ nods. "It has been a massive confidence booster and helped me a lot at school," he says. Before Linda and Julian, when I was in school, I would think: 'No I'm not doing that'. I would not put my hand up or join in with any clubs. Now that Linda and Julian have come along, I have my hand up all the time and do almost anything in school I possibly can – apart from my homework!"

The tone changes as TJ reflects on the impact of having Linda and Julian in his life.

"It's meant a lot, because it's like you are not within your own four walls – you are outside of them. If I hadn't had a mentor it would have been like having a broken leg permanently; trapped within your own house and you can't go outside."

But the benefits work both ways. Linda has enjoyed the experience too. She learned about The Island through her daughter Mariah, who works for the charity, based at the United Reformed Church, in Priory Street.

Linda began volunteering at its weekly youth clubs, and from there made the step up to be a mentor. It was a big commitment because she is a successful local businesswoman who runs York chocolatiers Choc Affair.

Linda says: "There is an African saying: 'it takes a village to raise a child', which I believe wholeheartedly to be true. So, on that basis, how could we not give it a go?"

The mum of two adds: "Sometimes, it is ever so hard in a family for a child to feel heard. I know my own daughters have found that on many occasions I have been a distracted mum, busy with everything else around me, and at times have felt I haven't been there mentally for them.

"The one-to-one time that a mentoring relationship offers, allows that space and time to just be, and to listen. It may be that the young person doesn't want to chat about the big things, but just likes the focused attention of that dedicated time together."

She adds: "It's a two-way relationship, and we've found that as much as TJ has enjoyed our time, we too have enjoyed it just as much.

"What's great about mentoring is that you can be any age, be it 20, or 80, and you can make a really positive difference in the life of a young person."

Nigel Poulton is the manager of mentoring at The Island and is using the 10th anniversary to make an appeal for more adult volunteers.

He said anyone over the age of 18 could apply to be a mentor. "The qualities of being a mentor would include ability to be enthusiastic, motivating and encouraging, open, empathic, positive in your outlook and a good listener."

Volunteers attend three training sessions ahead of being allocated a child. The next course starts this week and the one after will begin at the end of January.

Mentors have regular supervision too, where they can discuss any matters arising from their contact time with the child. They are given a small allowance, £10 a week, to cover activities with the child, plus travel costs.

Nigel said many mentors begin by first volunteering at The Island's youth groups.

And he said demands on the charity – which has to raise around £130,000 each year to fund itself – are continually growing because other support services for children are being cut or withdrawn.

"We are getting more and more referrals, so we need more volunteers. The benefit to a child of having a mentor is having a positive adult role model in their life."

He adds: "It also helps their confidence, self esteem and how they perceive themselves. And it builds resilience so they can go back into social situations and cope with those challenges. It also helps them communicate with others."

And the benefits for volunteers? Nigel says: "They get the satisfaction of knowing they are having an impact on the young person they are spending time with – and seeing the transformation in them."

To find out more about The Island and how to become a mentor visit the website: theislandyork.org or telephone 01904 628449.