It’s Volunteer Week!
As part of the nation-wide #volunteersweek campaign we’re delighted to showcase Young Glasgow Talent’s amazing volunteers.
We’ve had a fantastic response so far. Thank you for your support! Today we’re meeting our amazing mentor, Robert Rennie.
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!
Mentoring School: Springburn
Length of Time Mentoring: 1 year
Full Name: Robert Rennie
Q1: What first inspired you to get involved in our YGT mentoring programme?
I saw an article in The Herald newspaper in Glasgow and my wife thought that since I was about to be semi retired it would be something which would interest me!
Q2: How was your very first meeting with your young person?
I found the young person (then just in third year) to be quite mature for his years and I thought that the meeting went well. It was not as tense (on either side) as I thought it might be!
Q3: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
He seems to me to have grown in confidence. It is often he who raises issues from the news and current affairs and we discuss these. He certainly does not see me simply as someone who would “help with homework”, although obviously we both realise that qualifications are important!
Q4: With your support and with your young person’s motivation, commitment and resilience, what stage has your mentee now reached in their journey?
He has just gone in to fourth year and so from the point of view of examinations and qualifications, things are now becoming more serious.
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?
Although it is only for one hour per week I find my meetings refreshing. It has been interesting to see how my mentee can focus on careers and prospects for the future. We have discussed a number of possible careers including the financial rewards available. He has developed a very adult and focused attitude to future prospects.
Q6: What has been the major highlight of your experience so far with your young person?
Supporting the mentee in the completion of a skills task for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme on the Law of Scotland and the Courts structure.
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?
I would not hesitate in recommending the Scheme. Indeed, one of my colleagues in my own firm is now considering joining! It is a privilege to work with young people.
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.
