Why did you choose to take part in 1MM’s mentoring programme?

We work with a lot of young people ranging from different backgrounds, different cultural differences, we felt it was going to be added value to some of the learners. We felt it would be beneficial for us as an organisation too. It seemed the right time for us to get involved. It just sounded like an all round great opportunity.

What are the key things your young people needed support with?

“I would say confidence is a big issue. Mentoring has been a confidence boost. Another thing was some of the young people, I have found they have a barrier to learning. Barrier to talking to different people they don’t know. Mentoring has helped them with this. One young person really had a barrier to people. She didn’t do well at school. She feels everyone isn’t on her side. She has just grown into this person who is willing to undertake discussion in the classroom, she is progressing in her job role.”

Have you seen a change in your young people since mentoring?

To me, I can pinpoint a few things. Confidence is the big one, Growth in terms of own progress and new things they want to try. Really beneficial. New things they want to try. One young person really had a barrier to people. She didn’t do well at school. She feels everyone isnt on her side. She has just grown into this person who is willing to undertake discussion in the classroom, she is progressing in her job role. It is more positive. It has made them more aware of a wider concept of work. They know where they want to go but don’t know how to get there. They have developed that with their mentors. It can be a small step, so just talking to people but then bigger steps too. Like the young lady who is going self employers. Different steps for different people.