Drank slowly

Program participant Jessie with mentor Angela Jones.

Photo: Contributed Seeking new youth mentors for region

A LOCAL youth support program is seeking new mentors for 2022. The “Your Past, Their Future” youth mentoring program is hoping to pair adults with school students to boost their engagement and confidence. Program coordinator Melesa Eldred said that there is a huge need for mentors to work with young people. “COVID has seen young people become detached from their education and their school community, Ms Eldred said. “But I think COVID has also seen adults also feeling disconnected. “This program is a great opportunity for adults and youth to feel connected to someone and something again. “COVID saw volunteer rates drop across the country, whilst need and demand increased. Hopefully 2022 will be the time to close that gap.” Sale resident Angela Jones is currently involved with the program, spending an hour each week with her mentee, Jessie. “When I was approached to join the Mentoring Program I thought, ‘What a great idea, I can pass on my wisdom and experience to a young person and at the same time learn a bit about them’,” Ms Jones said. “I am in my fifth year of mentoring and now I realise just how much my mentee does for me. “She keeps me young and up with the ideas and terminology that is around the young people of today. “Sometimes I feel like a dinosaur but at the same time I am able to impart some of my wisdom and life experience onto her. “I truly have a new young friend.” The program has also drawn positive responses from mentees such as Sharon. “The mentoring program has been the best thing to happen to me in high school,” Sharon said. “(My mentor) makes me feel good about myself and I’ve changed so much since meeting her. “Everyone says I come back from my catch-ups so much happier.” Another mentee involved with the program, Shane said that he enjoyed the fact that he had someone to talk to.

Olivia shares sleep secrets

TODAY we're announcing a regular column featuring Australia's leading sleep expert, Olivia Arezzolo! To kick things off, Ms Arezzolo, who grew up in Sale, is sharing her number one tip for you to sleep well.

The number one thing you must do to sleep well is to block out blue light in the evening - light is our primary zeitgeber (factor controlling the circadian rhythm, and therefore, melatonin levels), so if there is one thing you can do to support your ability to fall asleep faster, sleep deeper and wake more refreshed, it's to block out blue light 2-3 hours before bed, depending on your chronotype. For this, I recommend 100 blue light blocking glasses. Olivia Arezzolo recently released her new book Bear, Lion or Wolf: How Understanding Your Sleep Type Could Change Your Life, which aims to help readers understand their sleep type, or chronotype. Find out more at her website www.oliviaarezzolo.com.au

Sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo.

Olivia Arezzolo grew up in Sale.