Around this time last year (2012) I started my training to participate in a mentoring process with Punt de Referència (http://webpuntrefen.wordpress.com/programas/programa-referents/) . The objective of the Referent´s programme is to offer support to young people who are at risk of social exclusion (between ages of 17 to 23).
My balance after one year is very positive and I feel that now, more than ever, it is important to encourage this type of process which can become a great resource to empower people.
Before sharing my personal experience, how would I define mentoring? I found this definition that I think it includes the essential meaning:
Mentoring is a developmental partnership through which one person shares knowledge, skills, information and perspective to foster the personal and professional growth of someone else. We all have a need for insight that is outside of our normal life and educational experience. The power of mentoring is that it creates a one of a kind opportunity for collaboration, goal achievement and problem solving.
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push in the right direction” John C Crosby.
Returning to my home country after having been abroad for nearly 8 years in the UK meant that I had to start building my life again from scratch. Most of my friends were living in another locations or still abroad. So it turned out that although I was not an immigrate I felt somehow quite lost , I was getting used to the culture and also looking for a job. As I had positive experiences being a volunteer in social programmes in Spain and in the UK, I started searching online for organisations were I could participate in a project that motivate me. When I read about what Punt de Referència was doing I immediately thought that it was a great opportunity for me to participate in a meaningful project, helping people from other countries that were trying to settle.
The programme started in May 2012 and it ended in November 2012, however the relationship that I built with my mentee has become a friendship relation. I have got to know a brave and strong young person who is very motivated to study and work to become independent.
Mentoring is a well know tool used in the UK- in the workplace and in the career field-. It has existed since Ancient greek times, spreading to the training arena in U.S in the 1970´s. You can think how it can be applied in your work, career and personal life but it is definitely a great process that can not be overlooked.
I have also added a link where we shared our experience with TV3 TV. Punt de Referència was chosen as a teaming project during the year 2012-2013. http://universmadur.blogspot.com.es/2013/04/creant-un-punt-de-referencia.html
For more information about social mentoring programmes in Catalunya you can check http://mentoriasocial.org/en and https://www.facebook.com/mentoriasocial
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