It’s Volunteer Week and time for our second blog of the day!
As part of the nation-wide #volunteersweek campaign we’re delighted to showcase Young Glasgow Talent’s amazing volunteers. Up next is Craig Menzies. A Glasgow Life employee, Craig is a valued mentor and a great advocate for YGT.
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: Craig Menzies
Mentoring School: Smithycroft
Length of Time Mentoring: 16 months
Q1: What first inspired you to get involved in our YGT mentoring programme?
I was keen to use some of my spare time in a positive manner by helping others. YGT provides that opportunity in a very interesting and motivating way.
Q2: How was your very first meeting with your young person?
The first 10 minutes were a bit awkward, on MY part, asking standard questions of interest. Once I shook myself and realised I was sitting across from a very intelligent and capable person, I got rid of the handbook and we just starting chatting informally. This was much more relaxing for the young person who really responded to the informal structure.
Q3: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
My young person has had a very tough time of it in the past year. However it always amazes me that he is so socially and emotionally aware of what is going on around him. He has really grown up in the past year and knows how his behaviour can affect other people.
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 going through a hard time at school and has struggled with the formal environment. He is currently on a college placement outwith the school and seems to be enjoying that much more.
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?
I have loved every minute of this experience. Regardless of the limited impact I feel I am able to make on the young person, he continues to ask and prompt more meetings with me which shows that he enjoys his time with me.
Q6: What has been the major highlight of your experience so far with your young person?
I think this highlight was after our very first session, when I got the email from the co-ordinator saying that the young person had thoroughly enjoyed meeting me and was keen to start the mentoring relationship. That was a great feeling to know that you have managed to connect with someone who feels that you can help them in some way.
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?
Do you have a couple of spare hours per week? If so, I would recommend putting them to good use and being part of a fantastic programme which has been designed to help others in need of support. There is no better place to start than that of a young person trying to find their way.
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.
