Angela is an artist and a designer. She’s been volunteering as a mentor with us for six years, most recently on our Brightside Mentoring programme.
I always wanted to study architecture when I was younger, but my family talked me out of it. I decided to volunteer for Brightside to help young people realise that they can do whatever they want to do, regardless of what anyone says. I want to give young people something I wish I had.
The impact I had on one of my most recent mentees was that I helped her find her voice. At first she was asking lots of questions and seemed very unsure of herself and doubtful about what she could achieve. It was heartening to see her connect to herself for the first time. I thought to myself, “job done”.
With another, her uncle was an architect and wanted her to be a architect too. It’s easy to be swayed by what other people are doing, or want you to do, and you forget you have all the power. Mentors are neutral listeners: not like teachers or parents who might have an angle.
Most of the young people I mentor are scared about life after school. They want to talk a lot about what happens after. At school they always know what’s coming next, life is mapped out for them and all of a sudden it isn’t any more. They’re only teenagers. They’ve got so much to offer the world but no confidence. I help them regain their confidence by focusing on what they’re passionate about.
One was already terrified about doing an interview and he hadn’t even applied for a job yet. I gave him tips – like how to keep eye contact – the kind of things you can’t get from a Google search. So much on this planet is about Googling things and often the results can be confusing and overwhelming. There’s nothing quite like human interaction, it’s so powerful.
I’ve been lucky enough to be mentored by some of the greats, and I see what they gave me as a gift. By volunteering for Brightside, I’m passing on that gift to the next generation and I can’t wait to see what they achieve.
How I see it, I’m doing something that’s going to have a positive effect on the future of the world. I help young people see what’s already in them and bring it into the light. Young people have so much information and knowledge put into them that they forget about themselves and their thoughts. As a mentor, I make it all about them, ask what they think of things, ask them what they want.
If you want to make a positive impact on a young person’s life, visit this page to find out more about becoming an online mentor and sign up.
