I’ve been a volunteer with COVEY for nearly three years, and during that time my journey has been both meaningful and rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to support two young people in different roles - one through befriending and another through Intandem mentoring. Each role has brought its own experiences, challenges, and moments of joy, all of which have shaped my time with COVEY.
Looking back, my fondest memories are the moments when the young people I’ve supported have tried something new, had a great time, or felt proud of what they achieved.
One particularly special memory was a day trip to Linlithgow with the first young person I supported. We explored the Palace, visited a farmers’ market, browsed charity shops in search of the perfect egg cup, and used public transport together. At the end of the day, they told me it was “the best trip of all,” which made the experience even more memorable.
With the second young person, seeing them attend Hang Out and step completely outside their comfort zone for the first time stands out. Watching them try something new, succeed, and gain confidence was incredibly rewarding.
Some of my favourite moments with both young people have been our baking sessions. These activities were about so much more than just making food - they encouraged creativity, teamwork, numeracy and literacy skills, and generosity, as the young people loved sharing what they’d made with their families and staff.
Like any mentoring role, there have been challenges. It can be difficult to see a young person feeling sad or struggling with circumstances that are beyond your control. I’ve learned to focus on what I can offer - consistency, encouragement, and positive feedback - and to take each outing as it comes without placing too much pressure or expectation on it.
One of the hardest things is recognising the potential in a young person when they don’t yet see it in themselves. I try to gently and consistently offer praise, encourage school attendance, and focus on what’s gone well. Car journeys have been a surprisingly powerful space for this. They often lead to great conversations, laughter, and word games that support language skills and creativity. These shared moments have helped us build trust and connection.
If I could give advice to myself before starting this journey, it would be simple but important: be patient, be consistent, and don’t expect too much too soon.
I truly believe befriending and mentoring are so important because they give young people opportunities they might not otherwise have, a chance to try new things, to be listened to, to have choice and control, and to simply have fun while being the centre of someone’s attention.
The most rewarding part of my role has been seeing small wins turn into big moments of confidence and pride. Introducing new experiences, watching young people develop skills, and seeing their confidence grow has been incredibly fulfilling. Those small successes really are the biggest achievements of all.
