Norwich & Norfolk Voluntary Services

NVS Mentoring Service

Mentoring experiences

“I have been mentoring for just over 6 months. In that time I have been paired with 3 young people, and kept regular partnerships with 2. Initially I sought voluntary work to gain experience to return to University to undertake a Postgraduate qualification in Social Work. I have met 2 young people who have very different issues, but who are really trying to work through these. I can honestly say that I have been incredibly proud of them both. In the time I have been seeing them both they have achieved a great deal, one mentee having gained a place at college, and the other actively looking at college courses. Sometimes I have felt that we aren¹t achieving anything, but when I take a step back, the fact that they meet with me every week shows that our meetings must be doing something. I think it is important to realise that it isn¹t always the items listed as initial targets for the mentoring partnership, which signify success or failure. Simply, if the young person is willing to meet for 1 hour a week, and share their experiences with someone of whom they do not know, for me that shows a success.”

“Since I started mentoring I have not only learnt a lot on the 6-week training course, I have made new friends, met some amazing young people, and my self-esteem and confidence has increased. I can honestly say, I would recommend mentoring to anyone considering doing voluntary work with young people.”