The Power of Showing Up

One mentor's experience of the HoodEx

Turn-Around Project

When people hear about a young person facing significant challenges, it's easy to make assumptions.

Over the past six months, supporting one young person through the HoodEx Turn-Around Project has reminded me that every young person is far more than the circumstances they've experienced.

The young person I've been mentoring is funny, kind, resilient and full of personality. Like many young people, they've had to navigate difficult circumstances and influences. But those experiences don't define who they are or what they can achieve.

I'm a trustee of HoodEx and work full-time in a professional role. Like many people who become mentors, I wanted to give something practical back to my local community. What I didn't expect was how much the experience would challenge and encourage me in return.

From the beginning, I knew my role wasn't to arrive with all the answers. It was simply to be consistent, to listen without judgement and to show up every week.

Over time, our mentoring sessions became less about a formal programme and more about building trust through ordinary moments.

One thing we've bonded over is food! Sharing a meal has often provided the perfect opportunity to relax and talk about life, work, friendships, ambitions and what the future might look like.

We've also spent time trying different activities, getting outdoors and simply enjoying everyday experiences together. Those shared moments created space for conversations that might never have happened sitting across a table. Mentoring isn't about organising extraordinary events—it's about creating opportunities to connect.

One moment that has stayed with me is realising how much our conversations had changed. What started with simply getting to know each other gradually became discussions about confidence, aspirations and the kind of future this young person wants to build. Trust wasn't created overnight; it grew because we kept turning up.

That, to me, is what mentoring is about.

At a time when there is growing national conversation about the challenges facing young people, it's easy to focus on statistics. We hear about isolation, limited opportunities, negative influences and a lack of positive role models.

But behind every statistic is a young person with strengths, humour, potential and a future worth investing in.

My experience has reinforced something simple but important: young people don't need people who have all the answers. They need trusted adults who are willing to listen, encourage and walk alongside them as they work out their own path.

That's exactly what the HoodEx Turn-Around Project is about.

I'm incredibly grateful for the relationship we've built over the past six months and excited to see what lies ahead for the young person I've had the privilege to support.

If there's one thing this experience has taught me, it's that showing up consistently can have a bigger impact than you ever imagine.

Could you be someone's mentor?

Every young person deserves someone in their corner.

If you've ever thought about mentoring, volunteering or supporting the work of HoodEx, we'd love to hear from you. By giving just, a little of your time, you could help a young person build confidence, discover new opportunities and believe in what's possible.

Together, we can help more young people realise that their future is not defined by their past.

To protect the privacy of the young person involved, some personal details and identifying information have been changed. The experiences described reflect a genuine mentoring relationship through the HoodEx Turn-Around Project.

Find out more about becoming a mentor →