‘Sharing a learning experience together’

— Ellie’s Mentoring Experience

Ellie and Ishmatu were paired as Mentor and Mentee on our April - August 2022 cohort. Ellie works as Senior Campaigns Manager at Nesta (‘the UK's innovation agency for social good’). In the piece below, she shares her thoughts on mentoring, and how to support someone else to find their confidence.

I was really keen to get involved in the Routes programme because I’ve been volunteering with refugee and women’s rights groups for a long time. I was chair of Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees when I lived in London, but moved back to my hometown on the south coast during the pandemic. After moving I hadn’t had a chance to get back into volunteering yet, so when I saw this opportunity promoted through my employer I thought it looked like a great way to meet someone new and share a learning experience together. 

Before I met Ishmatu, I felt apprehensive about my role and whether I would be helpful enough. I don’t have any experience of nursing (Ishmatu’s field of work, ed.), teaching or coaching and I wasn’t sure if I was ‘qualified’ enough to be a mentor. I was wondering if I would be able to support her in the ways that she’d need and expect. My fears quickly disappeared once we met - we immediately got on and found we were able to connect and relate to each other through everything we have in common, even though we only met online. I quickly realised that I didn’t need any specific qualifications and that I had plenty of privileges - things like English being my first language and having experience in applying for courses and jobs in the UK - that meant I could be helpful and offer useful support. I found that helping Ishmatu to think and talk about what she wants to achieve, why, and how she might realise her goals, really helped her to recognise how far she has come and how strong and resilient she is.

For me, the most enjoyable part of our journey together has been getting to know Ishmatu, because her energy and determination are so inspiring. A particular highlight of our sessions has been when we’ve talked about Ishmatu’s personal values and strengths, which have helped Ishmatu to reconnect with the confidence within her, rather than seeking it from somewhere outside. It has been hugely positive and rewarding to be part of that process. 

As a woman, a mother and a nurse, Ishmatu is incredibly caring and I found that she was supporting me as much as I supported her, especially in periods of my pregnancy when I was really struggling physically. It has been a joy to speak to Ishmatu each week and I know that she will achieve her dreams here in the UK. I feel excited for her future!

Written by Ellie Cusack, August 2022

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