A Maldon charity, helping troubled teenagers, has received £14,000 to help train mentors.

Mind, a charity involved with all aspects of mental health, has come up with a way to help teenagers experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Brosis is a pilot 18-month mentoring programme, designed to give teenagers mentors from their own peer group.

The mentors are young adults themselves and will provide practical and emotional support. The idea is that they will act more like a brother or sister to the teenagers.

The mentors receive training from a mentoring co-ordinator and issues such as emotional distress amongst teenagers in Maldon and the surrounding area will be addressed.

Myra Holding developed the idea of Brosis and said: "I have always thought that supporting teenagers whist growing up was important, especially preventing any problems escalating into adulthood."

Mind received £14,000 from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales to help with ongoing training.

Published Monday October 14, 2002

Brought to you by the Essex Chronicle