Big Brother Andrew with Travis. 72762 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Charlene Gatt
EVERY weekend, Andrew Nichols becomes a Big Brother.
The 42-year-old Bacchus Marsh resident picks up Sunshine West teen Travis and the pair dedicates the day to having fun – whether it’s going to the movies, walking the dog, playing ten-pin bowling or going to the footy.
“It’s something for him to look forward to, to get out of the house,” Nr Nichols said.
“There’s no pressure, it’s about going out and having fun. He can talk about things if he wants to, but generally it’s just about getting out of the house and doing something fun.
“I enjoy it, I look forward to it every week as well. It’s an outlet to get out and about and do different things.”
Mr Nichols teamed up with Travis in June this year. Travis lives with his grandmother.
“I felt like I had the time and energy to help someone other than myself,” Mr Nichols said.
“I don’t have any children of my own so it’s a good way of being a mentor to someone else.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the leading and longest serving youth mentoring organisation across Australia.
The program offers a volunteer mentor for young people aged between seven and 25 who are in need of additional support and friendship.
A study into the effectiveness of Big Brothers Big Sisters found 46 per cent of mentees were less likely to initiate drug use, 53 per cent were less likely to skip school and 27 per cent were less likely to initiate alcohol use.
The study also found mentees were more confident at school, were less likely to get into fights and had better relationships with their friends and family.
More mentors in the West are needed. About 90 kids are currently on the waiting list for a mentor.
For more information, call 9347 2655 or go to www.bbbs.org.au
