Mentor Review

As a Youth Mentor with City Year UK, my role was all about supporting year 9 students their socio-emotional development . Each day started by checking in with those who needed a bit of extra encouragement, and especially helping them settle into their lessons.
I spent a lot of time in the classroom, giving one-to-one helping my focus list students understand their work, stay focused, and feel confident. I also built strong relationships with pupils who needed emotional support, offering a safe space to talk and helping them set personal goals, using the SMART framework.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement. I supported students both academically and emotionally, often working one-to-one with pupils who needed extra help. I was trusted to build positive relationships with them, track their progress, and communicate any concerns to teachers and safeguard team. I also helped manage behavior in the classroom, supported during break and lunch times, and led small group activities to build confidence and social skills. Over time, teachers relied on me more, and I became someone students would come to when they needed guidance or reassurance.

During my placement with City Year UK, I had the opportunity to develop skills based on the Skills Builder Framework. I improved my listening and speaking skills by working closely with students and teachers. I enhanced my problem-solving and creativity by developing engaging activities to help students overcome academic or personal challenges.
I strengthened my staying positive and aiming high skills by motivating students to reach their goals, even when progress was slow, and maintaining a proactive attitude myself. Leadership and teamwork were central to my role, as I guided small groups, collaborated with other mentors, and coordinated with school staff to ensure consistent support.

During my City Year UK placement, I received a good balance of support and guidance. Initially, I was given clear training and ongoing mentoring to understand my role and responsibilities. Throughout the placement, I had regular check-ins with supervisors and school staff, which helped me reflect on my progress and seek advice when needed. While I was encouraged to take initiative and work independently with students, I always knew that support was available whenever I needed guidance, which made the experience both challenging and empowering.

The company culture at City Year UK was welcoming, inclusive, and supportive. There was a strong emphasis on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, with regular EDI spotlights covering topics such as religion, sexuality, race, and disability. The atmosphere was collaborative and celebratory, with events like Winter Games, Cultural Day, and end-of-year festivities that encouraged team bonding and recognition of everyone’s contributions. It felt like a place where diversity was genuinely valued and where teamwork and personal growth were actively supported.

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at City Year UK. It was both challenging and rewarding, giving me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the student’s lives while developing valuable professional skills. I particularly appreciated the variety of tasks—from mentoring students and running group activities to collaborating with teachers —which kept every day engaging and allowed me to see the direct impact of my work. The supportive and inclusive environment also made the experience highly enjoyable and motivating.

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