Meet Our Weegie Hero…. Donna

This summer we’re celebrating the everyday heroism in Young Glasgow Talent, with Weegie Heroes. From our mentors, young people, partners and supporters. Their amazing and heroic stories will be shared all summer. We’ve already had such a fantastic response from Liam’s Weegie Hero blog. A testament to himself and the incredible impact mentoring can have. From a young person’s educational outcomes, life chances, to self belief. It truly is transformational. Liam went from disengaged in school and struggling at home, to a university graduate living the career of his dreams. As well as coming full circle to being a Young Glasgow Talent mentor himself. If you’d like to read Liam’s inspiring story click here.

Of course, the support of a mentor is the catalyst for this amazing experience, and part of the reason Liam has done and is doing so well. Donna was Liam’s mentor, and they are still in touch today. Her side of the story is just as inspirational, moving and transformational. She truly is a Weegie Hero! Read her story, now:

“The role of a mentor is to be there, unconditionally. To listen and to build a trusting relationship. So what is a mentor and who can be one? It’s for anyone who believes in young people and wishes to help them on their journey to a better future, plain and simple. The only specialist requirements are enthusiasm, openness and an ability to listen.

When I left school after 4th year my only aspiration was to work and earn money, I was ok academically, could have tried harder in school and had no intention or wish to continue to study. I had no idea what I wanted to do but had a mum who ensured I was going to be working and paying my keep! I secured a Youth Training Scheme (equivalent of a Modern Apprenticeship) opportunity with Strathclyde Regional Council and have never looked back. In fact just writing this I realise I am pretty chuffed with what I have done so far. For the last 30 years I have worked within education services mainly out in our secondary schools and it is there I found my true calling… Supporting young people who were uncertain and struggling, through no fault of their own.

Liam was one of many young people I have mentored, all of whom went onto various pathways on leaving school and all of whom I am very proud of. Their destinations were as different as their journeys but their success happened when each of them took a pride in discovering who they were and identifying their unique talents and personalities. In fact the difficulties they had overcome added significantly to their sense of achievement.

Liam was a young boy who on transferring to St Andrew’s from primary was struggling with a very difficult home situation and had very low academic results as a consequence. He had a great mum but things were really tough for the family at the time. In Liam’s words ‘things were awful’ and I became his ‘anchor’. I wasn’t his teacher or social worker, in fact he had no idea what or who I was, we just got on well and understood each other. As Liam’s confidence grew so did his academic engagement and ability and by S5 he had well surpassed my academic knowledge. I was delighted as I didn’t need to be ‘brighter’ than him I just needed to know that I could guide and encourage him towards the school people who were, kind of like what my mum did for me.

In Glasgow at the moment we currently have hundreds of unique and individual young people who have no idea what they aspire to be as yet. That partnership journey of discovery is one of the most rewarding parts of mentoring- helping a youngster to find, grow and use their talent.

We need and absolutely rely on mentors from all walks of life and academic ability. There is someone out there for everyone as they say……..Liam and I are the proof.”

We have many more young people like Liam signing up for Young Glasgow Talent’s help. They need mentors to make a huge difference to their confidence, educational outcomes and future life chances. Can you help them? You’ll guide disadvantaged, but utterly deserving and ambitious, young people through their education. Find out more about becoming a mentor www.youngglasgowtalent.org/be-a-mentor

Can your organisation help? To become involved in our Talent Taster programme, alongside our partners such as Glasgow Life and The Herald, simply go to the GET INVOLVED section of www.youngglasgowtalent.org.

We’re always looking for new mentors to reach all the new young people who are coming on board with the programme. Help us spread the word by letting your friends and family know how worthwhile mentoring can be!

Share This Post