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The Great Mates Program is a new and exciting initiative for Best Buddies Australia.
Recently, Best Buddies met with a small group of our main stream and support class students and asked ‘what was the hardest thing about being involved with Best Buddies?’ These young people told us that are bullied and excluded by others in the main stream school (their peers) simply because they spend time with other kids who are also bullied and excluded.
When we asked what would help, they told us that it would be great to speak with local community leaders and personalities in an exclusive setting. Where they could not only feel like they received some special treatment, but could tap into that persons experience and knowledge.
In response to this request, Best Buddies Australia has created the Great Mates Program.
In essence, Great Mates is about people talking about their experiences.
We put a local leader or celebrity together with a small group of young people and have a conversation. We ask questions like:
- How do you stay calm when you're nervous?
- What's it like playing in a successful team? And how do you manage when things are not going as planned?
- What do you think about friendship?
Each talk lasts about an hour and is held at a local High School. Most of the young people are directly involved with Best Buddies and already have great friendships.
If you're interested in becoming a Great Mate, can spare one hour and looking for an opportunity to give a little bit of time to your local community, please feel free to contact Best Buddies Australia on 02 8916 7393 or email info@bestbuddies.org.au
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