What does a parent of a Raise Mentee think about the impact of having a mentor?
Over the 15 years of Raise mentoring programs, we’ve measured the impact having a mentor has on the young person and also how it benefits the mentor. We know it’s a win-win for both people in the mentoring relationship. However, it also has a ripple effect on the community.
Check out the Raise mentee’s parent’s point of view in this Q & A:
Q Tell us about your family.
A. “We live together in The Shire, in southern Sydney. My daughter is currently 15 and in year 10, but she was 13, in year 8 when she was mentored in the Raise program.”
Q. What is your child’s personality? What are their passions and interests?
A. “She is very quiet and an ‘old soul’. She loves her friends and spending time with them, but also needs a lot of alone time. Singing and musical theatre is her passion and seeing live shows, musicals, plays etc… is how we spend our time. She loves Mum/Daughter road trips and weekends away, exploring new places.”
Q. Does your child face any challenges such as mental health or disability
“She has generalised anxiety disorder (GAD*), Inattentive ADHD and is anaphylactic.
Q. Can you share a bit about what your child’s wellbeing was like at the time they joined Raise?
A. “She would not go and chase the things she wanted or have the confidence to ask friends to do things, as she often thought they were busy with other kids. She has a lovely singing voice but would not have the confidence to get on stage. She really only had one long term friend and was often a kid people would go to when they had a falling out in their own groups. As she needs alone time, I think this must be hard to more outgoing kids to understand. So she stop getting asked to go out or to do things on the weekends. She did not have consistent friends.”
Q. How were you feeling about your child’s wellbeing prior to having a Raise mentor?
A. “I was always worried about her wellbeing, that she won’t take any risks, or ask friends to do thing on the weekend and she was isolating herself. “
Q. How did you hear about the Raise program?
A. “Her school picked her as a good candidate for the program and I learned about Raise. She came home every week and told me about her session. She got a lot out of it and shared ideas her mentor gave her. Often, they were things I had told her, but hearing it from another independent adult is really powerful.
Q. What inspired you about the Raise program?
A. “Whether it was planned or not, I loved that she was paired with someone who also loved musical theatre! They gave my daughter so many good ideas and she started looking at how she could expand on her love for signing.”
Q. How did you hope it would help your child?
A. “I hoped she would lead with more confidence to try things, and advocate for herself and what she wants to achieve more, in a way that’s authentic to herself.”
Q. How did you see your child change and grow through the process?
A. “In the beginning, she was really excited, especially with their shared mutual interest in performing arts. It was in school and a 1:1 session. I think the benefit of having the mentoring session at school is that it is a known non-threatening environment. As the program progressed, it was great seeing my daughter take action and start looking up local clubs for performing, making friends with people who have a shared interest and love for the same things. She now has a wonderful group of friends in school and out of school, she’s started performing in Eisteddfods and competitions. A child that would not speak and has had in her learning plan not to be asked to put her hand up in class, is now wanting to perform.”
Q. What benefits has your child received through the mentoring program?
A: “Ongoing confidence and willingness to reach out and have a go at her singing, and musical theatre. She is going really well. For the first time knows what she wants to do in year 11 and 12 and will pursue her dream of being in music or musical theatre. She’s going to embark on a VET qualification in performing as part of her schooling. She has long term friends and when there is usual ‘drama’ she is balancing these conversations well and keeping out of it and her ‘political smarts’ are much stronger.
Q. How does it feel for you to see your child thriving like this?
A. “Proud! All you want for your children is to live a happy and purposeful life and she has both.”
Q. If you were going to describe the mentoring program in three words, what would you say?
A. “Unlocking children’s ability”
Q. If you were going to recommend it to other families, what would you say?
A. “Absolutely encourage and engage your child in the program. No matter where you think they are socially, academically, sporting success, they will benefit from the program and a mentor. It’s a rare opportunity to have a mentor at such a young age, and I think this opens their views and experience. Thank you all for providing an opportunity and helping my child unlock her capability and see different points of view, and build her confidence.”
*GAD or Generalised Anxiety Disorder is a severe, ongoing anxiety that interferes with daily activities. It can occur at any age. The condition has symptoms similar to panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety. These symptoms include constant worry, restlessness and trouble with concentration. Treatment may include counselling and medication, such as antidepressants.
