Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Christchurch provides life-changing mentoring for kids who need it most. We aim to build, strengthen and promote positive relationships between young people, adults, families, and communities by facilitating rewarding mentoring relationships. In achieving this, BBBS of Christchurch hopes that every child in the city will have the opportunity to experience safe relationships with caring adults who provide friendship, guidance and support.

We recruit, screen, train and professionally supervise adult volunteers to be mentors and positive role models for tamariki who have been referred to the programme. These children have been identified by a family member, teacher, social worker, public health nurse or other professional as someone who, through no fault of their own, is missing out on key opportunities and experiences afforded to others.

Our mentors (Tuakana or Bigs) spend time with their mentees (Teina or Littles) every week for a one-year minimum. Through that time, through fun, simple shared activities together they develop whakawhanaungatanga (a strong and meaningful friendship). We tell our volunteers that the only skill they need is being themselves.

Our early intervention, strength-based approach meets the most basic developmental needs of our tamariki and rangatahi - these positive relationships are critical to their childhood development, as when our young people feel cared for, valued and supported they become enlightened, empowered and view themselves, their whānau, and their community in a more positive way.