Our ongoing partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) plays a vital role in making our vision of a trusted adult guarantee a reality for local young people. 

Through employer-supported volunteering, EDC colleagues from all departments, specialisms and experience levels are given the opportunity to step forward as a trusted adult volunteer mentor.  The partnership not only strengthens EDC’s commitment to Corporate Parenting but it also empowers employees to make a positive impact in their local community

Julie is one of the dedicated volunteer mentors from EDC and works as an Inclusion Officer in the Education Team. Despite managing a busy and demanding schedule, she goes out of her way to protect her weekly session, dedicating one hour a week to mentor a young person at a secondary school in Kirkintilloch.

What is your role at EDC, and how do you fit mentoring into your working week?

I work for EDC in the education team, and I’m an inclusion officer and used to be a teacher. My job is to advise schools on all things ASN. My job can often be stressful and busy, so sometimes it can be a little challenging to fit mentoring in, but it’s still manageable. Once I’m there at the school with my mentee, it’s great and I get so much enjoyment out of it.

 

Have you noticed a difference in the young person you mentor?

I think the bond we have has helped reduce my mentee’s anxiety; just him having someone to listen to him has made a difference. I’ve helped him to manage friendships, and have been able to give him a different perspective on things. He knows he can share any of his problems with me about school or other things.

What do you gain from mentoring?

I get a lot from it as I’m able to use the skills I’ve learned in my own work, and I’ve definitely gained more skills too. When I first met him, he experienced a lot of anxiety. Having someone to talk to on a weekly basis, judgement-free, I think has helped him.

What is your favourite part of being a mentor?

Being able to help – if I can find a way to help I will. My mentee doesn’t like studying, so we work together to help him find his own way to do things. I’m able to give him wee tips that he can take and apply to his own life.

Can you recall a particular moment where you could see the relationship build?

My mentee is actually a year younger than my son. Although they’re quite different people, it’s given me a little insight into the life of a teenager. My Mentee is very into music, specifically heavy/grungy genres. I have a really old CD player I got for peanuts on Facebook Marketplace. One day we were talking about it together, and I’d been telling him how great the speakers sounded on my CD player. A few weeks later, he told me he had bought a cassette/CD player out of the charity shop too! He likes vinyl records too; we’ve got a lot in common.

What would you say to others about mentoring and why should they get involved?

It makes you stop in your tracks and take the time to just sit with your mentee. There’s no way I’d take that time out of my working week otherwise. My pathways coordinator told me that when I was off sick, my mentee was asking when I’d be back. That tells you that you must be making a difference. For me it’s amazing just to be making some difference. I’d say to others not to be too hard on yourself if you feel you are not making a huge impact because teenagers don’t always let you know directly. Go with the flow and just be a good role model for them; the rest will happen.

Become a Trusted Adult Volunteer Mentor

There are many young people waiting for a volunteer mentor like Julie to help them realise their potential and find a path to a brighter future. By giving just one hour a week, you can offer a young person a safe, supportive space to grow in confidence and thrive.

Find out more and sign up today: mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/