An exciting new project is today urging volunteers in Omagh to help vulnerable young people access mainstream community based activities. Include Youth's Give and Take Scheme has begun a search for 15 mentors to help make a difference in young people's lives.

Mentors will be asked to spend time with young people, doing everyday social activities and encouraging them to set and achieve goals for themselves.

Potential mentors will be provided with special training and will be carefully matched with a young person for up to a year. Include Youth also provides support to mentors throughout their participation in the programme.

Include Youth's Mentoring Coordinator Michael Mc Caul said, "We have worked with vulnerable young people from the Western Health Board area for a number of years now and this new project will offer vulnerable young people greater opportunities to gain much needed support to achieve their full potential.

"The work we have done shows that quite often young people just need someone to talk to and listen to how they are feeling. The impact that a mentor could have in the life of a young person can be massive".

Mr Mc Caul added, "Just by spending a few hours with a young person every week can make a difference and we're interested in anyone who believes they can commit to help change the life of a young person".

Anyone aged 21 or over and who wishes to volunteer for Include Youth's Mentoring Programme should contact Michael on 028 7127 2760 for an application pack.