In this blog post, 2021-22 Mentee Xiaojuan shares her thoughts and reflections on her mentoring journey so far - the new relationship she’s made, the confidence she has built, and the new experiences she’s had as a result.
“I am a mummy, who has a four year old girl. My girl is in nursery now. We used to read stories before my daughter goes to bed and I found out that my English isn't good enough to read the story fluently. I realised that I must improve my English, not only for reading stories, but also for giving my daughter better education. That’s why I joined the Routes Mentoring Programme. I had heard about the Mentoring Programme from a charity that supports mothers who are seeking asylum. They told me that it can help me to meet my goals.
I joined the Mentoring Programme and met my mentor, whose name is Kerrie. Kerrie is very nice and patient. She asks me some questions every time when we are having a meeting and that makes me talk a lot. The more I talk, the better my English gets.
I feel like I knew my mentor already for a long time, even though we just met through the Mentoring Programme. I don’t know how to describe it - it’s a feeling! You can just talk to her: your thoughts, your thinking, your ideas. She is also giving me lots of suggestions. For example, some links and apps to help me improve my English.
We are also working on some of my other goals. In the future, I would love to create a video for my daughter. So that when she gets older, she can watch the videos from her early years. As a memory, from the time she was born! A little bit of her tiny life. But that is quite difficult for me. I need to learn a bit more about technology first. I might need to go to learn some computer skills, perhaps do a course to help me understand things better.
I told Kerrie that my English is not good enough. But she said that my English is very good and she can understand me. Because of that, I've been much more confident. I was scared to communicate over the phone. I would always go to a place to talk to people rather than make a phone call. But now I start to try to make phone calls, instead of going to the place, which saves me lots of time.
Recently, my friend’s printer wasn’t working. I helped her to find help by using the internet. Another friend had a problem with a delivery, and I helped them with making a phone call. Also, a friend of mine had to cancel an appointment with a GP, which is quite difficult. I could now help them with the phone calls. So I can now see that my skills have improved.
I hope I am not going to stop studying English even after the Mentoring Programme is finished. I think I will also go and find some computer course for me, after my English has improved. Now, I am doing an ESOL course (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at the adult learning centre of my local council. Sometimes things are easy, but for me, I need someone to help me. To open a door for me. And then, maybe I can start it.
If you meet a mentor that is good for you, this will help you a lot. It will help you reach your goal, and save you time. Also, if you are not confident, if you can find someone like that, they will help you build your confidence. That’s what the Mentoring Programme did for me!”
Xiaojuan was a mentee on our 2021-22 programme. Applications are now open for mentors and mentees for our upcoming programme (April 2022)! Click the buttons below to find out more…