Behind the scenes: Meet our volunteer mentor Adam

Sometimes, what makes the biggest difference for a person is someone simply being there. That’s what our volunteer mentors do at Kids Inspire. Across Essex and Suffolk, they offer children and young people a steady, supportive presence - through conversation, shared activities, or time spent together each week.

They’re not there to solve everything. Sometimes they encourage, sometimes they listen, and sometimes they’re just that adult a young person can count on. With over 80 incredible mentors across our communities, these relationships make a real difference in young people’s lives.

Meet Adam

Adam’s journey to becoming a mentor started with a conversation that stayed with him. It made him reflect on his own experiences growing up, and how powerful it can be when someone simply shows up for you. Now, he’s giving his time to do the same for young people who need it.

Tell us about yourself

“I'm originally from East Ham, East London, but moved to Essex when I was around 13 or 14. That transition was a significant period in my life, where I gained and lost friendships along the way. 

I've been a filmmaker since leaving college at 18. Instead of going to university, I worked my way up from being a camera assistant, and now, as a self-employed filmmaker, I consider myself a small business owner. 

Music has always played a big role in my life, I love experiencing live music and also enjoy playing the guitar. And at home, our Romanian rescue dog, Alba, is always around, she’s become a big part of my life too.”

What inspired you to become a mentor?

“The first time I really thought about mentoring was during a film project I worked on to raise awareness of county lines, grooming, and exploitation, funded by Heart of Pitsea.

As part of that project, we interviewed members of the Exit Foundation, a charity working to support young people at risk. One of the people we spoke to was a former gang member and leader, and something he said stuck with me: how he wished he had mentoring himself, and that it was something that had been missing from the lives of the young people he worked with, whether from a relative, a teacher, or just a trusted adult in their lives. That made me realise how impactful mentoring could be for young people.

It also got me reflecting on my own experiences growing up, the guidance I had from adults like my parents and colleagues, and the informal mentoring I’d received along the way.

Not long after, I had a conversation with my partner, Laura, who works at Kids Inspire. She told me about the mentoring program, and that’s what ultimately inspired me to get involved.”

What do you enjoy most about mentoring?

“Being a mentor is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done! ”

“What I enjoy most is simply spending time with a young person, especially when they engage positively within our sessions. We just have fun during the hour we spend together, and I hope it makes a difference in their life moving forward—just as it has in mine.

When speaking to another mentor, we both agreed that, at its core, mentoring can feel almost effortless at times. You simply turn up, spend time together, and be yourself - allowing your mentee to do the same. And honestly, sometimes the simplest things in life end up being the most fulfilling and rewarding.”

How would you describe what a mentor does to someone who’s never heard of mentoring before?

“Mentoring isn’t always about doing a lot - it’s often about simply being present. Looking back on my own experience, a mentor helps open your eyes to different perspectives, showing you new ways to see the world and even how to accept yourself. 

Mentoring is about being a reliable adult for a young person and giving them the space to be themselves. It’s a chance for them to form a connection with someone outside their age group and build a positive relationship with an adult, perhaps in a way they may have never experienced before, even within their own family. 

Sometimes, mentoring is as simple as having a chat, playing a game they enjoy, or doing a sport they love. The key is consistency, showing up when you say you will, spending the agreed time together, and gradually building on that relationship.” 

Can you share a moment from your mentoring experience that really stayed with you?

“There are two moments from my mentoring experience that have really stayed with me. 

The first was when I went with a mentee to see the Christmas lights. It was something they really wanted to do. It was such a simple thing, but it became a great conversation starter, we just wandered around, and the different lights sparked all sorts of discussions. 

The second was the shift in our car journeys. In our first few sessions, they were mostly quiet, with me asking lots of questions to keep the conversation going. But around session four or five, something changed. From then on, we were always chatting during the drive, and I no longer had to initiate anything. My mentee would come up with games, like word or memory challenges we could play in the car, or they’d tell me about their week, what they had been up to, and what they were looking forward to. I didn’t have to do anything to start those conversations; they just happened naturally.” 

What would you say to someone who's thinking about becoming a mentor but isn't sure yet?

“If you’re thinking about becoming a mentor, take a moment to reflect on the mentors in your own life - if you’ve been lucky enough to have them. Think about how they may have helped or shaped you, even in the smallest ways. Then you know what it is to be a mentor. If that inspires you, then mentoring could be an incredible opportunity for you to do the same for someone else. 

If you have any worries, just know that mentor training will prepare you, and you’ll always have the support of Kids Inspire.” 

What have you learned about children and young people through mentoring? 

“I’ve learned a lot about the differences between our generations - how young people see the world and how much things have changed, even in the last 10 or 20 years. But I’ve also realised that young people today aren’t always getting the right guidance or support they need. Mentoring has really opened my eyes to this, something I had suspected but now see more clearly. 

At the same time, I’ve come to appreciate that there’s not as much difference between our generations as you might think. No matter how much technology has advanced or how fast-paced life has become, there are still so many similarities between my childhood and theirs. Despite the changes, I can still relate to a lot of their experiences.” 

What does being part of Kids Inspire and supporting children’s mental health mean to you? 

“Firstly, the support from Kids Inspire is second to none. They are always available for a phone call or an email if needed, and the monthly supervision sessions are incredibly valuable - well-led with a therapist and our Volunteer and Mentoring Project Manager involved, alongside other mentors. There’s so much happening behind the scenes that our mentees don’t even realise, just to ensure these sessions take place. 

Over the past few years, the mental health crisis has grown significantly, and while awareness has increased, there’s still so much more to do. Being part of the solution and offering support to young people is an honour. The dedication of Kids Inspire through all the work they’re doing highlights just how committed they are to improving children’s mental health.” 

We have new mentor training dates coming for autumn 2025! Learn more about our mentoring programme and how you can train to become a volunteer mentor.