The Australian charity was last week revealed by NSW Premier Mike Baird as the provider of high school mentoring across the state.

The initiative is part of the government's Youth Frontiers scheme, which aims to see at least one school mentoring program in every electorate.

Raise Foundation In School Mentoring Opportunity (ISMO) program director Jenny Moulder was in town on Monday to discuss the initiative with Cootamundra High School principal Neil Reaper.

Mr Reaper said he is excited by the opportunity to provide one-on-one mentoring in conjunction with existing student welfare programs.

“Every young person needs someone to talk to,” Mr Reaper said.

“We are looking for people with great empathy for student needs to provide support, ideas and options.”

He is confident there are at least ten people in town willing and able to become a mentor.

The program is set to begin in Term Two and continue through Term Three.

Year 8 and 9 students who may benefit from the program are invited by teachers to attend an introductory session at the beginning of the term.

Interested students will then have an hour long one-on-one session with a mentor each week, followed by a group chill out time with all mentors and mentees.

At the end of Term 3 the mentees have a graduation party and an opportunity to reflect on their progress.

Each week’s mentoring session has a theme focusing on topics such as self-esteem building, goal setting, and civic and educational engagement.

Mentors are trained though to listen to their mentee, who is free to discuss other areas of their life if they want to.

“We are looking for people who want to be a really good sounding board,” Ms Moulder said.

“This is an opportunity to really listen to young people and let them set the agenda.”

Ms Moulder said the program is aimed at disengaged students in years 8 and 9 who have the capacity to benefit significantly from a mentoring program focusing on leadership and civic engagement.

ISMO has been running for six years now and currently operates in 24 high schools, primarily in Sydney.

So far it has seen improvements in peer and parent relationships, student goal setting, decision making, academic achievement and decreased truancy.

Volunteer mentors receive TAFE-accredited training and undergo police and working with children checks.

They also have a one-hour debrief with a qualified program counsellor after every mentoring session.

Training for local mentors is currently scheduled for the end of March- to find out more or register your interest, email info@raise.org.au or go to raise.org.au.