This is the first blog post from our first digital mentoring programme! Antonella Mandato writes about her experience of the programme over the past four weeks.
Being a mentor with Routes has been a truly enriching experience from all points of view: the relationship with my mentee, as well as the other mentors; the training and support we receive from Routes; my personal growth.
Before starting, I was feeling a bit nervous about the challenge ahead. And I have to say that being a mentor is a commitment, but an amazing, fulfilling and enlightening one.
The first training was very well organised (on Zoom, considering the challenges with COVID-19). There was a lot of useful learning, for both the mentoring programme as well as for my personal life.
The highlights for me were:
Reflecting on the fact that every person has different experiences, backgrounds, baggage, personalities; and the empathy, respect and sensitivity needed when interacting with other people.
Different styles of communication from directive and authoritative to non-directive and empowering.
The qualities of a good mentor, including listening, being welcoming, non-judgemental, kind and positive, being joyful and patient, supportive and motivating, and giving ownership to improve confidence.
Interactive activities and exercises about personal values, personal strengths, exploring goals and objectives.
Information about the UK asylum system.
Introduction to Slack, a communication platform to connect with Routes and the other mentors on various subjects.
So far I have had four meetings with my mentee and they have been exciting, motivating, fulfilling and sometimes challenging, as we try to navigate resources available, understand the university system and scholarships opportunities. At the end of my second meeting, I was so excited that my husband hadn't seen me so buzzing in a long time.
The relationship that my mentee and I have built so far is enriching for both of us. She says she is very grateful and excited to be guided and supported, she has found the motivation and the belief that she can achieve her dreams and study at university.
For my part, I have tried to be a trustworthy non-judgemental mentor and empower her to make her choices, explore options, discover her strengths, as well as share resources, tips, useful websites, and ideas for a more structured work through recording progress on Excel spreadsheets.
Since our first meeting, my mentee has already identified good courses at university, as well as the necessary scholarships. She is in the process of applying, as well as networking with relevant stakeholders. What's more, during her meeting with other mentees, she shared the knowledge she has gained and provided them with tips and resources. This makes me very proud.
We have also established a friendly relationship and during every meeting we have informal chats about our week, our feelings and this makes everything very special.
For some people the first meeting might be a bit daunting but I was very lucky that my mentee is friendly and sweet and broke the ice by talking about COVID. I was very friendly too and we found out we have lots of passions in common, like cooking. Now we often speak about our lives, families and countries of origin. She teaches me words in her language and I teach something in Italian.
For me the most beautiful aspect of this programme is building a relationship with another human being and helping her on her journey to achieve one or more of her goals. I cannot even explain how fortunate I feel to have embarked on this journey and try to contribute, connect and make a little difference for another human soul.
