Giving a young person space to be open, honest and listened to without judgement, is, in my view, the most important thing a mentor can offer. Building a trusting relationship with the mentee is paramount – they need to know that they are in a safe place and can put their trust in you.My degree in Psychology helps me understand a young person’s behaviour – I help them reflect and challenge any behaviour that is causing upset.
I am a mum to three children and they have certainly helped me hone my skills as a mentor. Life for young people is hard and I believe every child should have a mentor – wouldn’t that be lovely!