In their own words: the impact of mentoring on young people

It’s important that children and young people who may be struggling with real life situations get the support they need from a trusted person and, or mentor.  

A few members of City Hall’s Peer Outreach team, a group of 15–25-year-olds who engage with other young Londoners to help inform our policies, are sharing their positive mentoring stories below.

“In life you grow, no mentors but close ones that showed me how to evolve.

How to be on the right path even if I didn’t have grades, I left school with no grades.

I was ashamed, but still managed to step up my game. I've been very creative since young, which made me look cool and it was only about having fun. Without the people around me I don’t know who I would have become. I have been working since I was 16 years young, when I got my NI number I knew I couldn’t go wrong. Shout out to my colleagues, we support each other and I look at them as my family.”
Darnell Mckenzie

“Each one of my mentors is someone who chose to guide me, when confronted with a question. They helped me find my answer, and allowed me to gain a level of understanding. I was not directed, instead I was guided.”
Alfie Kingsnorth

“Peaches-Sherelle Cadogan is one of those individuals, like many of my life mentors, that does so much noteworthy stuff it’s hard to keep up. So, among other things, she’s the co-founder and co-director of Woman Academy for girls, works with other support and development groups for young people, young black teens and girls. She’s a host, entertainer, she’s worked in TV and radio. I first learnt of her and her amazing work in around 2010. When she worked on BBC3's Peckham Finishing School for Girls as the series host/mediator. She inspires me with her eternal positive energy, motivating words of encouragement and passion for supporting young people in creative ways. She's always supportive of what I do, keeps me up to date with opportunities that suit me and is always there. You can keep up with her on her Facebook which is her full name and check out her work on Peckham Finishing School for girls here: https://vimeo.com/34636645”
Kamahl Sami-Miller

“Currently I have 3 mentors. Mentoring has only been a positive experience for me. I have learnt so much about myself, my ambitions, my goals and dreams. Mentoring gives you the guidance and the confidence you need to reinvent and develop yourself to go after what you want in life. This is one of my mentors: 'My name is Caroline Wilson, I am a writer and creative producer and I love storytelling, film and television. Since 2017, I have started my own film platform UNDR LNDN where we host events, screen films and support local young filmmakers. I am working to make my own television shows and independent films and hope to work with great creatives.'

Mentoring in my opinion is crucial to the development of a person. It allows space for growth and development and allows the mentee to be guided into the right direction. I found myself thinking about achieving the same goal but in a different way. I would encourage the Mayor to make sure that every young person who wants to have a mentor get one because it helps me develop my business. It has helped me grow as a person it helps us to reflect. It gives me a sense of direction and it also helps when someone else understands your vision.”
Faith Agba-Butler

“Nancy Doyle, the founder of GeniusWithin, is an inspiring mentor who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself. As if by magic, she helps you to become a better version of yourself. A trailblazer in her field, she is the ideal role model who uplifts others, always has your back and makes you believe that you can achieve anything."
Siena Castellon