Lily was referred to our mentoring programme due to low self-esteem and confidence, a need for a positive adult role model, and challenges relating to parental mental health.
Lily has now been matched with her mentor, Samantha, for over a year. In the early stages of their relationship, the focus was simply on getting to know one another. Lily was quiet and reserved, often sitting with her jacket zipped all the way up. However, over time, they have built a truly special bond, and it’s clear that Lily now sees Samantha as one of her trusted and safe adults.
Together, they have taken part in a wide variety of activities, including horse riding, attending group events, going out for lunch, visiting playparks, and spending time at the beach. Through these experiences, Lily has had the opportunity to try many new things that she may not otherwise have experienced.
When Samantha was asked what positive changes she has seen in Lily since they were matched, she said:
“I remember her being quiet and a little nervous when I first met her which is entirely expected. However, she has grown so much in confidence with me and talks quite freely about lots of things. She recently asked me in a very mature fashion if I mentored anyone else and seemed happy when I said no, it was just her. I feel we have made progress with building her self-confidence and now she is even happy to order food herself when eating out. She also teases me which reflects how relaxed she is with me which is lovely”
At the start of the new year, Lily and Samantha set a new goal: to support Lily with her decision-making. Lily often found herself agreeing with others to avoid any fuss. To help with this, they created a list of activities that Lily would like to try and have been working their way through it together.
As a result, Lily has begun to express her own preferences more confidently, sharing what she enjoys and even asking to revisit places she particularly liked. Some of their favourite outings now include trips to the beach or to Forest Farm for pizza and ice cream.
When Samantha was asked what she enjoys most about mentoring, she said:
“I genuinely look forward to my time spent with Lily, she keeps me on my toes with current trends! She always seems to really look forward to our outings and enjoys herself, often asking to stay out longer. It brings me immense joy when I see her just being herself and having fun. I also get to do things with her that I wouldn’t normally be doing so it can push me out of my comfort zone too!”
Lily’s journey highlights the powerful impact that consistent, supportive relationships can have on a young person’s life. Through her time with Samantha, she has grown in confidence, found her voice, and embraced new experiences with enthusiasm. What began as a quiet and cautious introduction has developed into a trusting and meaningful connection that continues to support Lily’s personal growth.
With Samantha by her side, Lily is building the confidence and skills she needs to navigate the world more independently, and you could do the same for a local child or young person in Aberdeen. If you have been inspired and want to learn more about how you can begin mentoring, reach out to Olivia today on o.polak@befriendachild.org.uk