We’re over half way through Volunteers Week!
Thanks to everyone’s fantastic engagement so far in our campaign.
As part of the nation-wide #volunteersweek campaign we’re delighted to showcase Young Glasgow Talent’s amazing volunteers.
Today we’re meeting our amazing mentor, Giulio.
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: Giulio Romano
Mentoring School: Lochend
Length of Time Mentoring: Almost 1 year
Q1: What first inspired you to get involved in our YGT mentoring programme?
I work for the Scottish Funding Council which supports YGT by enabling staff to volunteer as mentors during their normal working day. Prior to this I had never done anything like it so gave it some thought and decided it could be a new experience for me. I also think, coming from Glasgow, with a bit of ‘home-town’ nostalgia, I liked the idea of helping a school pupil from the Glasgow I grew up in! One of the YGT schools, St Mungo’s, is my old school!
Q2: How was your very first meeting with your young person?
It was actually quite good, although I was a bit nervous and awkward, as to be expected. I did most of the talking but my mentee was quite open considering I was a complete stranger.
Q3: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
My mentee has always known what they wanted to do and has always been an engaged pupil. Since our first meeting, my mentee has stayed on their path to university and is well on the road to achieving that. Where I have seen growth and development has been in their ability to chat about all sorts of things, some personal, and in being relaxed with me. My mentee has not missed any sessions and is fully engaged in the YGT process. They’re quite a chatter-box and very funny at times!
Q4: With your support and with your young person’s motivation, commitment and resilience, what stage has your mentee now reached in their journey?
They’re just about to start 4th year, so they’re going into National 5s for all subjects. Their plan is still to go to university, so we’re working towards that.
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?
It has been a fantastic (and very new) experience for me so far. Being something I’ve never done before, I’ve learned a lot – but generally I’ve just had a really good time in my meetings. My mentee is a lovely, highly intelligent and very engaged pupil, which makes my role as a mentor a pleasure. To be honest, I am sometimes a bit unsure if I am helping, but I think I am – even if it just provides a space to talk about anything.
Q6: What has been the major highlight of your experience so far with your young person?
My mentee shows me sketches and drawings which have been really good. This was a particular highlight when I was told that I was the only person who took an interest!
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?
Based on my experience I would highly recommend it. The time commitment is small but you can really help a child reach for a goal in life.
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.
