A Day in the Life: Walking Alongside the Next Generation
A Mentor’s reflection at Bespoke Mentoring
I pull up outside the mentee’s house at 8:45am, coffee in hand, and take a moment before heading inside.
Six years ago, I was the young person waiting in a similar building, unsure if anyone could really understand what I was carrying. Today, I’m the one turning up ready to listen.
My name is Jordan, I’m a care-experienced mentor at Bespoke Mentoring, and this is what a typical day looks like for me.
My Mental Preparation
Before every session I still feel that flutter of nerves. I call it “stepping into the lion’s den” – not because the young people are dangerous, but because the conversations can be raw, unpredictable, and emotionally heavy. I know what it’s like to sit on the other side of that table, sizing up the adult in front of you and wondering if they’ll actually get it, or just tick boxes.
The Fears I Carry
As I drive to the session, my mind runs through the usual questions:
- What if he shuts down completely?
- What if I say the wrong thing and lose his trust?
- What if my own experiences make it too personal and I struggle to stay professional?
I’ve learned these fears are normal. They come from caring deeply. But I also know my lived experience is exactly why I can sit with the silence, the anger, or the “I don’t know” answers without panicking or trying to fix everything immediately. I’ve been there.
The Mentoring Session
My mentee today was quiet when I first arrived as it was his first session. Hood up, arms folded. We started with the usual check-in – how’s life, how’s the placement, anything making you laugh this week? Slowly the hood comes down and the smile then came out.
He told me about the latest argument with his carer and how he feels “nobody actually listens.” Instead of jumping in with advice, I shared a small piece of my own story – not the whole thing, just enough to show I understand the feeling of being passed around and not having a say. His shoulders dropped. For the first time today, he looked me in the eye.
We talked about strategies for communicating when he’s angry. We role-played a few lines he could use. We laughed when it sounded ridiculous. By the end of the first hour, he’s making plans for the week and even asks if we can meet again soon.
After the Session
I sat in the car afterwards and just sat quietly for a minute. This is the part I live for.
The fear I felt earlier had completely shifted into something warm and hopeful. The boy had opened up. He laughed. He left with a small action plan and, more importantly, the sense that someone sees him as more than his circumstances. Moments like this remind me why I do this work. I’m not just mentoring – I’m proving to young people that someone who came from the same starting point can build a meaningful life on the other side.
Wrapping Up the Day
When I arrived home, I wrote up my notes. Some of the team are care-experienced, some aren’t, but we all bring different strengths. That balance Chris talks about so often really works. Later that day, I cooked something decent, and messaged a mate who’s also care-experienced and working in this sector. We keep each other going.
Final Thoughts
Every day isn’t perfect. Some sessions are harder than others. Some young people take months to trust. But the days when you see that spark of hope in their eyes – when they realise you’re not just another professional but someone who genuinely gets it – make it all worth it.
To any care-experienced people reading this who are thinking about working with young people: your story isn’t a weakness. It’s one of the most powerful tools you can bring into this work. Bespoke Mentoring has shown me that when you combine lived experience with proper training and support, you can create real change.
I’m proud to be part of a team that values both.
If you’re a young person in care reading this – I see you. Keep going. There are people on the other side who understand and who are ready to walk with you.
Written by a proud to be, care experienced Bespoke Mentor
