Mentor stories - Paul O'Grady

Initially I wasn't sure I could be a mentor. I thought it would help to be really chatty, which I'm not - so I thought that might be awkward. It turns out, it wasn't at all. The matching system works really well and means you're paired with a young person you can support and get on with. Whether it's the same hobbies or career interests, you connect quickly.

I've been a mentor to three different young people now, and it's been a rewarding experience each time. It isn't  about tutoring them academically.  It's much more about just listening, and sharing life experiences.

I choose to keep coming back because it's great to see these young people get where they want to go. I genuinely feel that I get something out of it too. It gives me real satisfaction.

My social skills have greatly improved as a result of mentoring, and it's also given me a good sense of wellbeing from giving something back.

You have to take a leap of faith and believe that it works, because it does.

There's great initial support, and there's a school coordinator always available to check in or to give you ideas. I've learned a lot from these young people, and you will too. You just need to try it and see that you can overcome any worries you might have. It's easy not to do it,  but keeping going really gives you a good sense of fulfilment."