A CHARITY which helps young troublemakers turn their lives around is calling on level headed people to become volunteer mentors.

The Essex Community Service Volunteers (CSV) wants to recruit and train a number of people to work with young people who are at risk of offending or social exclusion.

The charity's Essex Mentors and Peers project, now in its fifth years, is funded by Essex Youth Offending Service and Children's Fund Essex.

But more volunteers are desperately needed to help retain the organisation's successful record of working with young people aged between 8-17 years who have committed petty crimes or who are at risk of offending.

Volunteer mentors act as positive role models to offer guidance and support in order to prevent further offending behaviour.

Project Manager Myra Potter, who is based at the CSV headquarters in Orsett Road, Grays, said: We need to recruit more volunteers willing to mentor young people.

"Potential volunteers do not need any specific skills - just the desire to help tackle the issue of youth crime and to work with young people.

"Anyone who wishes to get involved will have the opportunity to make a real difference to their community and to the lives of young people.

"In addition they will have the opportunity to learn new skills and develop experience of this interesting area of work."

Mentors help young people deal with issues such as exclusion from school and bullying as well as supporting them to develop literacy, numeracy and communication skills.

Volunteers need to be older than 18 and willing to commit two to three hours a week for a minimum of six months.

Full training and support will be given to all those becoming involved in the scheme and in addition applicants will need to be willing to undergo a screening process which includes a criminal records bureau check.

Anyone interested can call Myra Potter on 01375 396091 or email mpotter@csv.org.uk