"Time Together" is looking for people who can support refugees to become more involved with their new communities. Even though they have refugee status, most of the newcomers have very few contacts with UK citizens. Amilee Collins, the scheme's Sunderland coordinator says: "It's really like a professional friendship. "Mentors spend around five hours a month for up to a year supporting, guiding and encouraging their mentees as they seek to achieve their goals – in integration, education and employment."
 | | Professional friendship |
Coordinator Amilee says that mentors do anything from helping their mentees to write a CV, to explaining how the internet or job market works. There is a social side though, and the pair may go bowling or to a museum, for a slice of British life. With Sunderland added to the list, Time Together now operates in 24 UK locations - since 2002, over 1000 refugees have benefitted from one-on-one mentoring relationships with their volunteer mentors. Amilee already has a small number of mentors signed up and says: "I'll be training them soon, so anyone else who wants to join us, please do". She will be operating out of the offices of the North of England Refugee Service and you can get in touch with her on 0191 510 8685. Learning as you're mentoring The project is already established in Newcastle, where Darryl has been matched. He says: "Abrehe and I meet every week to chat, learn more about each other and explore the North East. "For Abrehe it is an opportunity to not be alone, to practice his English and to find out more about the local culture. For me it's an opportunity to learn about new cultures, offer useful support and generally have some fun." For the Sunderland scheme, mentors must be over 18 years old, speak fluent English and be either British citizens, or have lived in the UK long enough to have a real understanding of the culture and customs. | 
