The Power of Mentoring
Paul Shane Spear famously said that “As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.” This is certainly true of Sheena Wurthmann, a member of Netherlee Parish Church, who in her role as a high school mentor has been changing lives of young people in one of the most disadvantaged communities in Glasgow.
Sheena, a former lecturer, first became involved with the Intergenerational Mentoring Project, after an invitation was extended to members of the Learning in Later Life Programme she participated in at Strathclyde University. Initially invited to a lunch to find out more about the project, she quickly discovered that she had already been matched with a sixth year pupil at Springburn Academy in the North East of the city.
Sheena explained, “I was matched with a pupil in S6 who wanted to study English at university with the ambition of becoming a journalist. To secure a place she needed to get an “A” in Geography. My role was to help this particular student prepare for her exams and for study at the university. I would spend between 45 minutes to an hour regularly at the school. The student selected the topics for discussion.”
“On one occasion we were walking out of the building past the boards with names of duxes. I pointed to one name listed that happened to be my cousin and shared that she had became a head of a primary school. I wanted my mentee to know her dreams were possible. I encouraged her that she was a clever girl who would love university, the new thoughts, the people and ideas. She looked at me and grew inches in front of me. I asked her if this was the first time someone had told her she was intelligent and should go to university. She admitted this was a first.”
“This student was particularly bright and got her “A” in Geography and a place at Glasgow University. She is now working as a journalist and becomes an example of what is possible for other pupils at the school. Similar experiences have punctuated my mentoring sessions over the years. Not all students I have followed have had such a positive outcome but all of them have gone on to further study and followed their desired career path. I feel proud that I may have helped them achieve their ambitions in some small way.”
Sheena’s faith and own experience of education plays a significant role in her desire for the young people she’s working with to have the same opportunities and life experiences that’s she has had. She readily quotes Matthew 24:40 as a motivation for being involved in the mentoring programme.
“As much as you do this to these the least of my people you do it unto me!”
It emphasises the importance of a holistic approach in our efforts to serve our local schools and how our understanding of the local context can help determine the best ways to support our school communities and their pupils.
“I think this is a shame that our bright students are not always aware of their ability. In communities like Springburn, the pressures on these students are hard to appreciate from a middle class environment. The families have lots of demands - financial and family responsibilities. At age 16 you can be sharing a bedroom with your two younger sisters. And when the lights need to be turned out at 8pm, where do you do your homework, revision or just read? That’s why homework sessions at school and revision programmes for prelims and exams are vital for these students.”
When the Intergenerational Project first began, Springburn Academy, was at the bottom of the league tables for academic success in Glasgow. After two years they had climbed to the middle rank and students were getting in to the elite courses such as medicine, law and veterinary sciences. While not all of this can be attributed to the programme but some of it is undoubtedly testament to the success and power of mentoring.
It’s clear how much Sheena treasures the time spent supporting young people at the high school in Sprinburn and how much she has found the experience as a mentor personally rewarding.
“To feel that I have supported young people into the careers that they wanted and to let them know that they have every right to be there is really satisfying. Not only does my knowledge and experience help the students but they send me to find out new things too. I’d encourage anyone to consider getting involved in supporting local pupils through a programme like the Intergenerational Mentoring Project - everyone has something to offer.”
If you are interested in finding out more information about the Intergenerational Mentoring Project's work in Glasgow visit their web site: http://www.intergenerationalmentoring.com
MCR Pathways is another school-based mentoring project supporting care-experienced and disadvanted pupils across the country get the same education outcomes, career opportunities and life chances as every other young person. They have been expanding the areas they are working in and are continually looking for volunteers to support pupils. https://mcrpathways.org/
Check out our resources page for a collection of mentoring manuals offering a range of sessions and activities for use with young people: http://syls.org.uk/recommended-resources/
