Over the course of two months myself and 20 other students have
been apart of a peer mentoring programme with loveLife Generation .
At the beginning it has been challenging, as we have all
been anxious on how to approach young people without secondary
thoughts, however we have all remembered some of the techniques
from previously carrying out mentoring programme with a group
of Kingsford lower years students. Those mentoring sessions have
also included learning about the boundaries between us and our
mentee’s as we would have regular meetings with them. We must
always be aware that we don’t grow a closer bond with out mentees
even though sometimes it may be quite hard to keep space
between us and still keep them feeling comfortable around us.
Throughout this time there have also been many fascinating
practices which have enabled us to prepare for the real meeting
with our peer mentee’s. Group work is what I enjoy the most about
these sessions as we can all come together as one and learn from
each other. This programme enabled me to develop my confidence,
self esteem and has build determination to make a positive change
in someone else’s life through mentoring.
During our sessions we have also learnt about the no blame
approach where we ask questions around the subject of matter to
prevent more damage from occurring and causing further conflict
between the two peers.
Overall, I can honestly say that this programme teaches me life
skills which enable me to develop my own personality and shape
it. What we practise is everyday problems which we all face in our
everyday life from bullying to feeling low or misinterpreting what
someone else has said about us. Opinions will always be shared
about us and between us, but it’s what we do with it can change our
perspective on everything. One crucial thing about these sessions
is the positive thinking that we must always have when attending
these sessions as it has a big impact on how the session goes, how
much we learn as a person as well as how we apply it to everyday
life scenarios.
Each week has bought something new to us and has given us the
chance to not only be prepared to help and support others but to
become a better person. The experience which I have gained from
these sessions is incredible and I recommend it to anyone who
wants to improve the life of others and enhance their own abilities.
loveLife Generation trainers, Jas and Rukiyah, delivered an innovative training in partnership
with Swedish partners Moves 4 Ideas. The training was aimed at those who work within
communities and young people and participants came from Spain, Belguim, Sweden and
the UK.
See below what UK participant Stephen Ihme had to say about the training course.
http://tiggerrays.com/blog/m4i-european-union-training-review/
Training Review