‘’I was able to support Carly during a very troubling time in her life. I was able to provide the support she needed to approach difficult life situations. It’s encouraging to see her become more confident in trusting her own abilities and enjoying life with her children. Nothing is more rewarding to me’’
Carly was in the middle of a difficult divorce, and still lived in the property with her ex-husband, who had his own problems. He was very controlling, and this put a strain on family life. This made life for and her children very difficult. The children were both very academic, but their behaviour was getting worse, she was struggling to deal with their emotional outbursts along with her own feelings. A mentor was arranged to help support her during the time of upheaval in their lives.
The mentor met with Carly weekly and would listen to her difficulties with the children and provided a sounding board for ideas on how to improve family life. Practical ideas were given from the mentor, for example having weekly meetings so the children could express how they were feeling, a family calendar so they all knew what activities were coming up and could plan accordingly. The mentor was able to listen to her worries, frustrations and concerns regarding her divorce.
Initially, Carly was very shy and reserved, she wasn’t sure about meeting her family mentor and life was overwhelming for her. Her volunteer mentor was able to gain her trust and support her.
It soon became evident that one of her children was really struggling with the breakdown of the parents marriage. The outbursts were becoming worse he was very angry, and this was beginning to show at school. Our coordinator put a dedicated mentor in place for him which he benefitted from and gradually home life improved, he started to enjoy activities like football again. He never missed a meeting with his mentor whom he trusted and felt safe with.
Carly with continual encouragement from her mentor gradually found the strengthen to implement consistent changes which improved family life for them all. The support from her mentor helped her to adjust to life as a single parent and began enjoying activities with her children.
‘Thank you for all the advice and support over the last year, our family can now go from strength to strength on a new path’.
Click here for information on upcoming mentor training courses or contact us to find out how we could help you.
"To be honest I probably get as much out of mentoring as they do, as it's so fulfilling."
