We’re meeting two new amazing mentors today! Both Carolyn and Evelyn love mentoring. You can find out why by reading their inspiring stories below.
As part of the nation-wide #volunteersweek campaign we’re delighted to showcase Young Glasgow Talent’s amazing volunteers.
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: Carolyn O’Reilly
Mentoring School: St Andrew’s
Length of Time Mentoring: 9 months
Q: What first inspired you to get involved in our YGT mentoring programme?
I thought it was a great initiative and I liked that it was taking place in the East End, where I’m from.
Q: How was your very first meeting with your young person?
I’m from the same area and background as my young person so that helped. The first meeting goes well when you talk about what you have in common.
Q: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
My young person is becoming more confident with school work and I’ve noticed that their horizons have been broadened.
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?
Once the trust has been built up, you find how influential your opinion is and just what impact you’ve had. I think the next academic year will be where the real difference is made.
Q: What has been the major highlight of your experience so far with your young person?
Seeing the improvement in attendance at school and their enthusiasm for the programme increase.
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?
Go for it!
Full Name: Evelyn Toma
Mentoring School: St Andrew’s
Length of Time Mentoring: 22 months
Q: What first inspired you to get involved in our YGT mentoring programme?
I was at the stage in my life where I felt I wanted to give something back and was looking for ideas. A friend of mine saw information on Glasgow District Council web site and sent me a link saying she thought it would be perfect for me
Q: How much have you seen your young person grow and develop since that first meeting?
My mentee was very quiet in our first few meetings – and never proactively communicated. She is now more chatty and will proactively tell me stories about school or seek my advice if she is struggling with something academically.
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 understands that academic achievement is really important if she wants to have as many choices as possible about her future and is currently working hard for her exams.
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?
If I can inspire her to actually pursue a career and think of herself as having real potential then it’s all worthwhile.
Q: What has been the major highlight of your experience so far with your young person?
Taking her to the open night at BAE systems where we chatted and she seemed to enjoy the experience. Having her text me to get my help on her Physics assignment.
More young people than ever before are signing up for the YGT programme. Can you support them by becoming a volunteer mentor? Just visit <a href=” http://www.youngglasgowtalent.org/be-a-mentor/”>this link</a>. You’ll be joining an amazing community! Full of like minded and committed people. Keep an eye on our <a href=”http://www.youngglasgowtalent.org”>website</a>, <a href=”http://www.facebook.com/mcrpathways/” target=”_blank”>Facebook</a> , <a href=”http://www.linkedin.com/company/mcr-pathways” target=”_blank”>Linkedin</a> and <a href=” https://twitter.com/mcrpathways” target=”_blank”>Twitter</a> 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! <a href=”http://www.youngglasgowtalent.org”>Visit our website</a> and find out more today.
