Andrez mentors a 16 year old young man who’s just about to be released from custody on licence. Here’s what he said about mentoring:
“I worked abroad for two years as a musician which made me realise that the problems young people face are the same the world over and it inspired me to get more involved working with them. I applied for the mentoring position at RESET after seeing an advert in my local paper. The training was amazing - very informative and it covered all the bases. My group was taken to a YOI (young offenders’ institution) which relieved any anxiety and preconceived ideas that anyone may have had about what young people in custody are like.
“Mentoring is very rewarding. These young people need people they can relate to and as a young man myself I’m on their wavelength. I make sure I listen and don’t make any prejudgements. Young males especially often just need a good role model in their lives. When there’s no real family there they turn to their friends for guidance, some of who may be a negative influence.
“I’ve met my mentee twice so far - in custody and we’ll soon be meeting up in the community when he is out on licence. Being a mentor is a challenge but it’s definitely rewarding. I just wish that everyone could work together more to help these young people”