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 combining three amazing stories. One from our very own Pathways Coordinator AND dedicated mentor, Elizabeth! Another from Sharon McIntyre, an incredibly dedicated mentor from the Wheatley Group who has gone above and beyond time after time for YGT! Finally Anne, who has fantastically used her skills from her line of work to inspire her as a mentor. Read all their amazing stories below!
Our fabulous mentors are making life-changing differences to Glasgow’s young people. Our city’s young people are disadvantaged through no fault of their own, but they’re utterly deserving of mentors who 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: Anne Hind
Mentoring School: Spirngburn Academy
Length of Time Mentoring: 8 months
Q: What first inspired you to get involved in our YGT mentoring programme?
I recently retired from working as a specialist speech and language therapist and felt that my experience within that job would be beneficial. I also feel strongly about young people having support and making the best of the education which is available to them.
Q: How was your very first meeting with your young person?
Obviously a relationship had to be formed but this young man could communicate easily so there was no real issue.
Q: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
I feel he is more realistic about his future goals
Q: 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 is rewarding and very worthwhile. I have enjoyed the experience. The fact that he has agreed to go on some visits to nursery and after school establishments with regards to informing his career choices .
Q: 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 it! It is worthwhile and at times exciting.
Full Name: Sharon McIntyre
Mentoring School: Spirngburn Academy
Length of Time Mentoring: 8 months
Q: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
The change in their emotional intelligence is night and day. Stability at school has improved, school relationships and home relationships are now more manageable (they have coping mechanisms in place) and studies are steady. Aspirations have also been developed alongside confidence. My Young Person has a lot of responsibilities at home and our time together is time for her – her alone to talk, laugh and dream a little.
Q: With your support and with your young person’s motivation, commitment and resilience, what stage has your mentee now reached in their journey?
She stayed on to 6th year and is now about to leave. They’re considering modern apprenticeship opportunities. They previously pursued college interests but felt not ready to take that up just yet. However, they may do so next year.
Q: How unique has this experience been for you? How rewarding has it been to see your mentee grow and develop under your invaluable support?
Fantastic all in. I care a lot for my young person and believe she can take on the world! It’s genuinely great company once a week, to hear about her world and help in anyway I can. I feel like the session matters – when you see the growth and feel it. Integration with the wider school too is improving, which helps you feel part of that community. This is a vital part of knowing mentoring belongs there and is respected and supported by young people themselves and professionals.
Q: What has been the major highlight of your experience so far with your young person?
I can’t pick out a single moment – each and every session has a wee gold nugget. It is more about the privilege of being let into a young person’s world and feeling so fortunate for that alone.
Q: 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 IT NOW!
Full Name: Elizabeth McKechnie
Mentoring School: Lochend
Length of Time Mentoring: 3 months
Q: What first inspired you to get involved in our YGT mentoring programme?
I see the great work that comes from mentoring a young person through the work I do with MCR.
Q: How was your very first meeting with your young person?
I found it very interesting and although I was very nervous my mentee put me at ease straight away.
Q: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
My mentee has grown in her ability to take action and make important decisions about her life and pathways on her own.
Q: 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 has given herself different options in that they have applied for a full time college place, registered for apprenticeships on Glasgow Guarantee and may stay on to do their final year in school.
Q: 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 only been mentoring for a short time but it has been amazing just to get the chance to know this young person as they are a fantastic young person who can contribute loads to society and the world of work. I came in at a time when all they needed was someone to discuss the decisions they were making at the time.
Q: What has been the major highlight of your experience so far with your young person?
The excitement on their face at the prospect of the next part of their journey
Q: What would you say to someone that has been inspired by our amazing community and is looking to get involved in the YGT programme?
If you are someone who always strives to learn something new, then hang about with a young person once a week. They are the most interesting and entertaining species on earth.
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.
