My experience of being a mentor
A volunteer mentor receives training and supervision to build a trusting and positive relationship with a matched young person in need of support.
Mentor, Louise Wiseman, recently told us her own experience of being a professionally trained volunteer mentor to a young person in need of a (non-family member) adult guiding hand.
***We are currently recruiting new Mentors (and Peer Mentors 16-18 years) to start their training in February next year. Email us***
Louise’s story
Louise volunteers in other ways for Kids inspire too, she has recently wrapped, packed and delivered as part of the Christmas Appeal, and has received our ‘Volunteer of the month’ accolade for going above and beyond.
I know from my own children how important confidence and positive mental health is to enable them to develop and flourish, and I wanted to be able to help other young people who might be struggling. The mentoring programme is perfect for people like me who don’t have any counselling skills or qualifications – but can offer their time, energy and a desire to make a difference.
Following an initial interview…
I felt honoured to be accepted as a mentor, and I still remember what Sue Bell OBE, founder and Clinical Director of Kids Inspire, said right at the start of the excellent mentor training weekend: “Every child needs someone in their life that believes in them and values them”. I realised that I could give something special to a young person, just by being there for them and spending quality time with them on a regular basis.
Training complete!
I started as a mentor in spring this year and have nearly come to the end of my 20 sessions with my first mentee, an 11-year-old boy. We’ve done all sorts of fun things together, from creating works of art, swimming in the local outdoor pool, crabbing, pumpkin carving, picnicking and crazy golf to visiting the local petting zoo and going on ‘road trips’ to new cafes. I would say the main challenge has been coming up with new and different things to do each time – however, I get lots of ideas from my supervisor and fellow mentors at our monthly supervisory sessions together.
A privilege
Being mentor to this young boy has felt like such a privilege - he’s funny, kind, brave, and very artistic. It’s been wonderful to see him grow in confidence and make a positive transition from primary school to secondary school this year. I will be so sad to say goodbye to my mentee, however, my supervisor Beci has taught me how important it is for young people to experience positive endings to relationships in their lives. For our last session together, my mentee and I are going for a slap-up meal (his choice) and I will be presenting him with a memory book of all the highlights of our time together.
We are currently recruiting new Mentors. People ready to take on a new challenge and willing to help a young person with a guiding hand. Learn more by visiting this page on our website volunteer mentor or by speaking to our Mentor Project Manager by email: mentoring@kidsinspire.org.uk