It’s Volunteer Week!
As part of the nation-wide #volunteersweek campaign we’re delighted to showcase Young Glasgow Talent’s amazing volunteers.
Today we’re meeting our dedicated mentor, Alan MacDonald.
Our fabulous mentors are making life-changing differences to Glasgow’s disadvantaged young people. Our city’s young people are disadvantaged through no fault of their own. Our mentors help them find, grow and use their talents.
We really can’t celebrate them enough! So this week we’re letting you get up close and personal with them. Find out what makes them tick and learn more becoming a part of our amazing community!
Full Name:Alan B Macdonald
Mentoring School: St Andrews
Length of Time Mentoring: 2 years
Q1: What first inspired you to get involved in our YGT mentoring programme?
I worked in a University in Glasgow for 23 years. When I first saw the article about the programme in The Herald I thought to myself, I could contribute to this! I have the time to spare and, more importantly, I want to help these young people meet their full potential.
Q2: How was your very first meeting with your young person?
My young person wasn’t shy, but was a bit cautious. We quickly established a rapport and have always had a lot to talk about at our meetings.
Q3: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
Initial expectations have been refined in the past two years, and been replaced by more realistic goals as my young person has matured and realised their capabilities.
Q4: With your support and with your young person’s motivation, commitment and resilience, what stage has your mentee now reached in their journey?
My young person is at the end of S5 and will sit an SQA examination before taking a summer taster course in automobile engineering. This will be followed by a further automobile engineering course, full-time at college.
Q5: How unique has this experience been for you? How rewarding has it been to see your mentee grow and develop under your invaluable support?
The experience has given me a greater insight into the problems some young people face in meeting their full potential and a desire to help them along that journey.
Q6: What has been the major highlight of your experience so far with your young person?
My mentee has matured and developed in many areas over the past two years. Particularly pleasing has been a recognition of, and setting goals for, life after school and college.
In my first year of mentoring, my young person and I recognised that a work placement would be to their benefit. My young person completed a one week placement in a community centre and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Q7: What would you say to someone that has been inspired by our amazing community and is looking to get involved in the YGT programme?
Many employers, like Glasgow City Council, are encouraging their employees to volunteer on projects like the YGT programme. So, if you want to put something back into life, don’t hesitate and get in touch with the programme management team. You won’t regret it!
More young people than ever before are signing up for the YGT programme. Can you support them by becoming a volunteer mentor? Just visit this link. You’ll be joining an amazing community! Full of like minded and committed people. Keep an eye on our website, Facebook , Linkedin and Twitter until 12th June to meet many more!
If you’d like to hear what our young people have to say first hand, watch our youtube video here:
Is there a friend or family member that you know would make a perfect mentor. Send them our way! We’re looking for new mentors to match with young people at our new schools. We have loads of new young people waiting. You or someone you know could be the perfect mentor for them! Visit our website and find out more today.
