My Path to Evolve
My journey to Evolve began after I graduated from university with a clear desire: I wanted to dedicate myself to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. But in truth, my path as a mentor started long before that. During my time in sixth form, I became a peer mentor, offering emotional and academic support to others who were navigating challenges of their own.
As I continued on, I found myself drawn to opportunities where I could make a difference — working in both primary and secondary school settings, providing guidance, and building connections with young people who needed someone to believe in them. While at university, I volunteered with a charity supporting vulnerable young adults at risk — another experience that deepened my commitment to this work.
Now, after two years as a Health Mentor with Evolve, I feel incredibly grateful to be part of a team that makes a real and lasting impact in the lives of children and young people.
The Highlights of Being a Health Mentor
There’s something deeply rewarding about watching the young people I work with grow, overcome challenges, and surprise themselves with what they can achieve. Whether I’m supporting them in a school or placement setting, I’m constantly reminded of why this work matters. I believe every young person deserves to feel heard — truly listened to — and to feel seen for who they are and who they can become. Creating a space where they feel safe enough to be themselves is one of the greatest joys of my role.
The Challenges
Many of the children and young people I support come from deprived areas where trust is hard to build, and showing emotion is often seen as weakness. I understand that all too well, because I grew up in a similar environment. That shared experience has allowed me to connect with them on a deeper level — to show them that I genuinely get it. I know how difficult it can be to feel hope when your circumstances seem to say otherwise. But I also know that with the right support, they can aspire to more than they think possible. I strive to be that role model for them — someone who sees their potential, even when they can’t yet see it themselves.
A Moment I’ll Never Forget
One of the most significant moments in my time as a Health Mentor was working with a Year 5 boy diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. When we first met, he was shy, frustrated, and struggling emotionally — often lashing out at his peers and acting out at home. He was unsettled, having been moved between carers twice in just a few months, and separated from his sibling.
Week by week, we built trust through something as simple as playing board games and chatting. Slowly, he began to open up — sharing his challenges at home and at school. As his confidence grew, so did his ability to manage his emotions. We worked on emotional regulation techniques, and before long, I started to see those positive changes carry over into his behaviour both at school and at home. He became calmer, more self-assured, and began to show glimpses of his bright personality. Most importantly, he had a safe, consistent space where he could just be himself — something that had been missing from his life for far too long. Watching him flourish reminded me exactly why I do this work.
Why Health Mentors Matter
I know firsthand how isolating it can feel to struggle emotionally, and how powerful it is to have someone in your corner who genuinely cares. I was fortunate to receive one-to-one mentoring when I needed it most — and now, I aim to be that source of support for others.
Being a Health Mentor isn’t just about helping young people with their academic goals or managing their behaviour; it’s about showing them they matter. It’s about providing stability, consistency, and a listening ear when they need it most. For children and young people who feel overlooked or let down by the systems around them, a mentor can make all the difference.
I feel honoured to play that role — helping them believe in themselves, guiding them toward their personal goals, and reminding them that their futures are bright, no matter where they come from.
