This thesis investigated the well-being of volunteer support persons. The goal was to find ways to increase the volunteers’ endurance and well-being in a mentorship that requires long-term commitment. EHJÄ association trains and provides volunteer support persons for young adults who become independent from the foster care system. When becoming independent young adults need a supporting and caring adult.

The study was qualitative, and the data was gained by a semi-structured interview study. The study involved four interviews. Interviews had three themes, involving experiences of well-being, motivation, and expectations of support from the programme. The programme coordinator sent the interview invitation, and those who were willing, were selected to the study. The material included 104 minutes and six seconds of recorded material and 29 pages of transcripts. The analysis was made by transcribing the interviews and using content analysis.

The main results were that the interviewees were quite satisfied with being a volunteer support person. The study material gave no indication that they would be burdened by the volunteer work. The analysis also showed that the volunteers were motivated to stay in a long-lasting mentoring relationship. Motivation was influenced by the quality of the relationship and coordination of volunteer work and home life and work. It was significant that almost each of the interviewees told that their relationship with the mentee had developed into a normal, caring friendship. All the interviewees felt that volunteer work increases well-being. Also, the volunteers were mainly pleased with communication from the volunteer coordinator. The results can be used by the development of Omilleen programme, and also by other third sector operator or religious communities to develop their volunteer programmes.