Business Support Officer, Ange, talks about mentoring with MCR Pathways

• What motivated you to join up as a volunteer mentor????

A former work colleague told me about MCR Pathways. He thought my previous managerial experience, and life experience, would be relevant. I looked into it some more and felt that I did have something to offer young people from a challenging socio-economic background. I completed MCR Pathway's in-depth training. It took a while to be matched and I was advised that my mentee relationship may be challenging due to several factors.???

• Is there anything you have learned or encountered (positives/negatives) from the experience? If so, has this impacted you personally and/or professionally in any way???

?One thing it did teach me was resilience when facing rejection. After the first 6 months, my mentee decided she did not want to continue. I refused another mentee because I wanted to show her I was there for her no matter what. Following the Christmas break and the coordinator passing on a message that I had missed her, we re-connected. She had made me the most beautiful handmade card thanking me for not giving up on her and being her “friend”. This? was? one of the most rewarding moments of my life. Our MCR journey finished in June this year, but her life journey is just beginning after leaving school. She has been accepted into college. I don’t mind admitting I shed a tear or two at this news! ??

• Any advice for people who may be considering volunteering???

Just do it! There are so many young people needing our support - to be there for them and show them they are not just part of a “system”. They are valuable members of society and can with our support continue to grow into adulthood. There are many ups and downs and days when you feel like you don’t even know if you are making a difference. The small number of “highs” are worth every “painful silence” moment spent with your young person.?

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