Why I mentor supporting young people’s emotional and social development

Our volunteer mentors come from all walks of life, each with a unique story that led them to give back to the Essex community. What unites them is their dedication and passion for supporting young people with their mental health. Following professional training, our mentors devote an hour each week to a young person they've been matched with. How they spend that time is up to the mentee – this could be activities related to their own personal interests – sport, playing games, going for coffee – or a mutual interest – like museums or music. This time helps a young person with their emotional and social development. A mentor's commitment to consistently show up and be there for the mentee speaks volumes to a young person, creating a strong foundation for positive change. Our mentors are truly inspiring people, and we love being able to share their incredible stories.

Meet Dave

Dave became a mentor in 2021 and he has shared with us his experience of volunteering his time to support young people within the local community.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Dave Watson, aged 53, born and raised in Chelmsford and attended Moulsham Schools. I didn’t particularly like high school and left as early as possible to get a job. 

I’ve had several jobs from window cleaning to digger driving until when I met my now wife Sam, at the age of 21. Sam was working in London as a Trainee Insurance Broker and had gone to Chelmsford High School for girls, all her friends were either at top universities or working already with well paid jobs. 

It was then that I decided I needed a career, and as I left school with only a couple of exams, I applied to night school where I trained to be an electrician. 

Within 18 months Sam and I were married and we lived together for 6 years before having two boys who are now 24 and 21. Myself and Sam are still happily married today. 

Long story short, after several years training to become an electrician, I started working with my soon to be business partner and we slowly built our company and specialised in Fire Alarms and Suppression. We now have over 12 companies in our group and 500 staff. 

I am shortly coming to the end of my career and am looking forward to slowing down a bit and spending more time with family. I like to look after myself and I keep fit by cycling (my wife and I completed the London to Paris Cycle Ride for Kids Inspire), going to the gym and playing golf. 

Why did you choose to train to be a Mentor?

I met Sue Bell (Kids Inspire Founder & CEO) at the gym and after learning about Kids Inspire and the mentoring programme I realised that I was mentored by one of friend’s parents when I was teenager. At the time I didn’t know, but looking back I used to spend a lot of time with them chatting and watching TV even when my friend wasn’t home. 

If they hadn’t I probably would have just wandered the streets during the day. They used to let me go round their house when I should have been at school, but they knew that if they said no I still wouldn’t have gone to school anyway.

They ran a business from their home and worked hard, they never judged me and always spoke to me as equal and as an adult.

What's your favourite part of mentoring?

Learning. Every time I mentor I come away having either learnt something about my mentee or myself, a different view on something, the latest craze or slang word. I’ve never come away thinking that was a waste of time. 

How do you explain the role of a mentor?

I see the role of a mentor as someone who is reliable, level, non judgmental and encouraging. You must be able to talk open and honestly and if your views are different to that of your mentee you must be able to deliver them in a way that does not lecture but just offers a different opinion for them to think about. 

Can you tell us about a personal highlight from your journey as a mentor?

When they are happy to chat about things that they normally wouldn’t admit too. Once my mentee told me that he really liked the Shakespeare book he was reading at school and how it made him feel, I could tell he was enjoying telling me about it and that he didn’t feel comfortable admitting this to his peers or family.  

What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a mentor?

Mentoring is rewarding but don’t expect to change a young person’s life in a few meetings. As with lots of things in life people have to find their own way and make their own mistakes and decisions. Our role is to be there with them and hopefully guide them towards better choices.

Be reliable, positive and treat them as an equal. 

If Dave’s story has inspired you to train to be a volunteer mentor then we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for more mentors in the Essex area.