Lynne Innes has recently retired from working in education and after hearing about MCR knew mentoring was something she wanted to do. We spoke to Lynne about how she is enjoying being a mentor.
“She was a complete stranger to me not long ago, but I do care about her”
Why did you choose to become a mentor?
Every week, I tell her how much our visits mean to me. I tell her that she is a lovely person who will make the most wonderful nurse. She’s so gentle, so kind. She is a friend and I love her to bits. I would do anything for her. I know I’m limited in what I can do as a mentor and I have to keep my perspectives but I will make sure she gets to where she wants to go.
What changes have you seen in young person you mentor?
We’d been pretty well matched due to her wanting to do sports therapy, but was now verging on something else, nursing.We established that and she is now planning on staying on until sixth year. I’m here for her on that journey. Whatever my mentee needs, I would want to give. She’s got it planned out careful as she is a thoughtful person as she thinks carefully about what she’s doing. I had to emphasise that she doesn’t need to think about letting other people down, if she does her best, no one will be let down.
How has being a mentor changed or impacted you?
I never stop talking, but I have learned how to be a listener. I will just sit and let her talk and it’s lovely, I don’t want to interrupt her but I do really care about her. She was a complete stranger to me not long ago, but I do care about her very much.
What changes have you seen in the young person you mentor?
We’d been pretty well matched due to her wanting to do sports therapy, but was now verging on something else, nursing.We established that and she is now planning on staying on until sixth year. I’m here for her on that journey. Whatever my mentee needs, I would want to give. She’s got it planned out careful as she is a thoughtful person as she thinks carefully about what she’s doing. I had to emphasise that she doesn’t need to think about letting other people down, if she does her best, no one will be let down.
How has being a mentor changed or impacted you?
I never stop talking, but I have learned how to be a listener. I will just sit and let her talk and it’s lovely, I don’t want to interrupt her but I do really care about her. She was a complete stranger to me not long ago, but I do care about her very much.
What would you tell someone thinking about mentoring?
If you had to put two words on it, I would call it the happy hour. For me, it’s just a wonderful experience. I can’t put it into words, it makes me really emotional. It’s such a privilege to be part of a young person’s life. If you do decide to mentor it will be one of the best things you ever do in your life, regardless of what kind of background you are from, what age you are, you have no idea.
