WHY
MENTORING
Over 60% of vulnerable individuals in the UK report improved mental health through mentoring
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
In today's world, many individuals feel isolated and disconnected. Mentors make a powerful difference by providing emotional and relational support. They play a crucial role in the lives of young people and marginalised individuals, helping them improve their life chances while building close, trusting relationships.
We believe that every individual matters and that every person deserves the opportunity to be helped to make a meaningful change.
What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is a supportive 1-1 relationship where an experienced individual (the mentor) provides guidance, encouragement, and advice to a younger person (the mentee). The goal is to help the mentee develop their skills, build confidence, and navigate challenges whilst cultivating a close and trusting relationship. Through regular interactions, the mentor acts as a positive role model, fostering the mentee's growth and helping them achieve their potential.
From a Christian perspective, mentoring is a profound and transformative relationship modelled by Jesus Christ. Christ's life exemplifies the essence of mentoring through His deep, personal connections with His disciples. He walked alongside them, teaching, guiding, and nurturing their faith and character.
Jesus' approach to mentoring was rooted in love, patience, and humility. He invested time in one-on-one relationships, offering wisdom and support. Through parables, personal interactions, and shared experiences, He imparted life lessons that shaped His disciples' lives and faith.
Two key examples:
One powerful example of Christ's mentoring is His interaction with James and John when they asked to sit at His right and left in eternity (Mark 10: 35-45). Jesus used this moment to teach them about true greatness and servanthood. He explained that greatness in His kingdom is not about power or position but about serving others. This lesson highlighted the importance of humility and selflessness.
Another key aspect of Jesus' mentoring was His conversational technique. Jesus built trust by being an active listener and asking thoughtful questions. He was not always quick to correct; instead, He often listened deeply to understand the hearts and minds of others. For instance, when He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4: 7-26), He asked her questions that led her to reflect on her life and recognise her need for living water. This approach allowed individuals to feel heard and valued, fostering a deeper connection and trust.
Christ's approach to relationships was not just about imparting knowledge but about fostering growth and transformation. He saw the potential in each individual and encouraged them to live out their God-given purpose. His mentorship was a journey of mutual trust and respect, where He listened, understood, and provided guidance tailored to each person's needs.
In essence, Christian mentoring is about following Christ's example—walking alongside others, offering support, and helping them grow in their faith and life. It's a commitment to building meaningful, life-changing relationships that reflect the love and grace of Jesus.
Challenges Faced by Vulnerable Individuals Without Mentors:
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Behavioural issues: Increased likelihood of risky behaviours, such as substance abuse and crime.
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Emotional and social difficulties: Lack of support for trusting healthy relationships and building of self-esteem.
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Vulnerability to negative influences: More prone to exploitation, abuse, and negative circles.
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Limited life skills: Difficulty navigating adulthood, leading to instability and limited success.
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Academic struggles: Higher risk of academic failure, limiting future opportunities.
THE GIFT OF A MENTOR
is priceless...
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT:
A mentor provides essential guidance during uncertainty.
POSITIVE ROLE MODEL:
A mentor models healthy habits and standards.
CONFIDENCE BUILDING:
A mentor unlocks potential and raises hopes.
LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT:
A mentor assists in developing crucial life skills.
PATH TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE:
A mentor helps vulnerable individuals find a path to a future they may not have previously foreseen.
“Virtually every aspect of human development is fundamentally shaped by interpersonal relationships. So it stands to reason that when close and caring relationships are placed at the centre of a youth intervention, as is the case in mentoring programs, the conditions for healthy development are ripe.”
Dr Jean Rhodes, Director of MENTOR & University of Massachusetts Boston Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring.
THE IMPACT OF A MENTOR
RELATIONSHIPS
Many vulnerable people grow up silenced, isolated, and abused, carrying these wounds into adulthood. These experiences can significantly impact their transition into adult life. A mentor can be the first trustworthy and caring adult they encounter.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND TRUST
A mentor can provide a safe space for vulnerable people to express their feelings, fostering security and belonging.
BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM
Positive reinforcement from a mentor can boost a vulnerable person's self-esteem, especially if they've experienced neglect or abuse.
ROLE MODELLING
Mentors demonstrate healthy behaviours and coping strategies, helping vulnerable people develop better social skills and resilience.
EDUCATION
A mentor's belief in a vulnerable person's potential can ignite a passion for learning, inspire dreams of higher education, and foster a deep connection to their school community. This transformative relationship can change the trajectory of a vulnerable person's life, opening doors to a brighter future.
IMPROVED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Mentors can help individuals develop better study habits, time management skills, and a positive attitude towards learning.
HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ASPIRATIONS
Mentors encourage vulnerable people to set higher educational goals, such as attending college or pursuing advanced degrees.
ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT
Mentored students often show increased engagement in school activities and a stronger connection to their educational environment. This can result in better classroom behavior and participation.
EMPLOYMENT
A mentor's guidance can transform a vulnerable person's approach to work, instilling habits of reliability and respect, and nurturing a drive for continuous growth. This supportive relationship not only helps them secure employment but also empowers them to thrive and advance in their careers.
DEVELOPING POSITIVE WORK HABITS
Mentors help vulnerable people cultivate essential habits like punctuality, reliability, and effective time management.
FOSTERING PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR
Through mentoring, vulnerable people learn respect, effective communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills.
ENCOURAGING CONSISTENCY AND AMBITION
Mentors emphasise the importance of job commitment and inspire continuous learning and professional growth.
Our Work Empowering Vulnerable People Through Mentorship
Since 2012, Nicodemus has been working to provide vulnerable and at-risk individuals with trusting and caring mentors. We have developed programs to provide vulnerable individuals and young people with trained mentors in the UK, Latin America and The Caribbean, South Africa and India.
2600
People provided with a trained mentor
0
2012
Our progress
Present
Conducting Local Research
Our journey began in Banbury, England, where we launched our Youth Mentoring Program to support vulnerable and at-risk young people transitioning into adult life. Around the same time, we also started a similar program in Guatemala. Through partnerships with local organisations and interviews with young adults, we identified the key challenges they face, including the lack of opportunities and support they were facing in UK society. Our research highlighted four main areas of support needed: mentoring relationships, life skills workshops, education support, and volunteering opportunities within their communities.
Developing Mentor Training Programs
We observed that a safe and secure transition into adulthood for young people was largely due to the cultivation of trusting and close relationships with their mentors. To support this, we developed mentor training programs for churches and organisations in the UK that focuses on a relational approach, including starting relationships effectively, building trust, and being active listeners. Many young people suffer from economic and relational poverty, which can be alleviated through meaningful relationships. We see the power of mentoring in two key areas: building a foundation of trust and respect, and providing opportunities to work on goals and behavioural change. Our mentor training programs have also been implemented in Guatemala and across Latin America, training churches and organisations to support their communities.
Acquiring Practical Experience
In 2012, we initiated our Youth Mentoring Program in Banbury with a group of 10 young adults, some of whom had recently left foster and residential care while others had a history of living on the streets. This first group amazed us with their gratitude and eagerness to help others in their community. We quickly realised that our mission extended beyond providing immediate support; it also involved empowering these young people to make a positive impact on the next generation. Their life experiences had a purpose, and we believe in the power of those who have been hurt to help others who are hurting. Similarly, at this time, our program in Guatemala provided valuable insights and practical experience that informed our approach.
Broadening Our Impact
In addition to developing materials for training mentors in relationship building and life skills workshops, we recognised the need to equip community program managers to conduct needs-based analyses, recruit and prepare mentors, provide ongoing support and supervision, and effectively monitor and evaluate their mentoring programs. To address this, we have developed additional courses as part of our Project Management training series. These courses are available on our online platform, accessible on both our English and Spanish training websites. We strive to keep our courses affordable, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Our efforts in Guatemala and Latin America have further broadened our impact, enabling us to train and support a wider global network of mentors and organisations.
In the UK...
1 in 4
will experience a mental health problem each year.
5,642
suicides were registered in 2022.
14.5%
of youth aged 16-25 experience unemployment.
"I would recommend mentoring because my mentor helped me a lot, and got me thinking about what I was doing right and how I could make changes in what I wasn’t doing good in. Everyone always judges me and I have a reputation. I want to get rid of the reputation that I have - most people think I am bad and should not be in school. But I do want to change and receiving help from my mentor has helped me to change."
Ahmed, mentee (name changed)