Meet Our Mentors 2022: Beverley Swan
The latest mentor we are proud to feature as part of the ‘Meet Our Mentors’ campaign is our long time mentor and volunteer Beverley Swan. To help shine a spotlight on the amazing work Beverley and the rest of our volunteer mentors do, we have been showcasing some of our mentors across our blog in a special interview. Keep reading to discover more.
A mentor offers our young people a safe place to discuss any issues and supports them to access new experiences, explore interests and develop new life skills. The mentor and mentee relationship is an opportunity for the mentee to improve their self-confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Young people are referred into the mentoring scheme through school, professionals, or parents. A mentor meets with their mentee on a regular basis, usually for an hour once a week. It is a joint decision between the mentor and mentee what they do with their time. This is often based on the mentee’s interests and hobbies, what is available in the community and what they feel comfortable with, but it could be to go for a walk, enjoy a hot drink and snack or perhaps visit a local place of interest.
Beverley Swan
Beverley has been a long time volunteer mentor for us, helping many young people along the way. She kindly shares her experiences and story below.
“Do not hesitate to find out more if you are considering becoming a mentor. Help is at hand, as always with Kids Inspire, in offering advice”
Tell us about yourself & how you first came across Kids Inspire?
My name is Beverley Swan. I am now retired but was previously Assistant Head of a large secondary school where I taught drama and theatre studies in addition to my role in student welfare and behaviour. I also organized large careers events for the local learning partnership.
In all my work, I have been aware of the primary need for young people to feel safe, secure and supported in order to maximise their chances of thriving emotionally, socially and educationally. Busy lives and financial pressures on families and governments means there are times when there is a shortfall.
I was very happy to learn of the work of Kids Inspire through a friend who is an avid fundraiser for the charity, and felt it was time for me to stop whinging about what I had been unable to access for students in the past, put my time towards practical solutions and offer whatever I could as a volunteer, which I did 3 or 4 years ago.
What’s your favourite part of being a mentor at Kids Inspire?
I have found being a mentor personally very rewarding. Chatting to young people, listening to their stories and hearing about life today for their generation is illuminating. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad but always a time to look forward to and learn from. Mentors can provide a few moments of one-to-one special time, a steadying influence, a non-judgmental ear and a bit of fun.
What type of mentoring do you do at Kids Inspire?
I have been a mentor to a 10-year-old, a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old, all very different. Whether going out and about, playing board games, crafting, crazy golf or just chatting over an ice cream, the introduction meetings, the training, the supervision, advice and shared ideas all help in determining the best approach for each person.
In my experience, my suggestions of how to spend our time are often superseded by the mentees own. They take the lead and once again I am off on another adventure, learning something new. (I did however, put a veto on ice-skating. Somethings I am too old to learn!)
Can you tell us a personal highlight or story since you became a mentor at Kids Inspire?
Sue Bell recently ran a Peer Mentor training course for a group of teenagers and I was lucky enough to have the chance to attend as a support. The two-way gains of this system are clear. Not only do the Peer Mentors learn the importance of empathy and some rudiments of the methodologies involved in mentoring, but they become a ‘team of experts’ with very recent experience in the trials and tribulations of growing up in the cut and thrust of modern schooling to pass on tor their younger peers.
I have always been amazed at the good sense and maturity expressed by this age group.
How would you explain the role of a mentor to someone who was new to the charity and our work?
Do not hesitate to find out more if you are considering becoming a mentor. Help is at hand, as always with Kids Inspire, in offering advice. It is not a role for everyone, but the process of training will enable you to understand what is involved and if it is for you. I do, however, believe that everyone has something to offer.
The need is as great and as varied as is the experience of the volunteers. The time required as flexible as suits. I travel frequently. My current mentee has a busy life. Sometimes we contact by WhatsApp instead of face to face. Sometimes that brings a different perspective to our conversation, equally as productive.
People should bear in mind that mentors are not there to ‘solve a problem’ but to perhaps lighten the load a little. Kids Inspire is clear in the boundaries and expectations. The shared time, without pressure or prejudice, is where the value lies for both parties.
It has certainly added much to my own life.
Many thanks to Beverley and all our mentors and peer mentors for the work you contribute towards helping young people here at Kids Inspire.
Mentoring is a fulfilling role and you will have a direct, positive influence on a child or young person’s life. If you feel inspired to discover more about becoming a mentor, please visit our dedicated mentor volunteering page.
Do you know a young person who may benefit from 1:1 mentoring with a peer or adult? Make a referral here.