Clinical Psychologist Melissa spent a few years considering ways she could volunteer, wanting to volunteer in something she could continue in her retirement was important. Melissa also wanted to build further connections with her community and continue those as her work life scaled down.
Many of the clients who come through Melissa’s practice are young people at crisis point. Finding a volunteering opportunity had to be a counterpoint to that. Something which would provide a way to support young people without the clinical aspect.
Intervening before a crisis
“I wanted to volunteer in something meaningful but not at the ‘pointy end’ where I already work. Many volunteering opportunities were at that end and would not have been a reprieve from the stressful parts of my job. I also wanted to help young people before they reached that crisis point” says Melissa.
After taking note of Raise advertising and hearing Ambassador Ali Daddo speak about Raise, Melissa decided that Raise might be the perfect fit for this early intervention work and found her experience of mentoring truly worthwhile.
Expert training
“The training was really comprehensive and the content was excellent. It outlined the role of the mentor really well so I knew what my role was and wasn’t. There were clear boundaries on time and involvement. I also loved the examples given in training about what were acceptable ways to relate to the young person and what were not. Everything was crystal clear" Melissa shares.
Be that person
As a clinical psychologist, mentoring was a new way of relating to a young person for Melissa. “It was so different to my work environment. In the Raise program my key role was to be a positive, validating person for the young person. To be that person we all need in life, particularly when we are young, to show up, listen and say – I see you. It was so good for me to be able to sit in a different space. Over the weeks of the program the relationship with my mentee got stronger. We didn’t include the workbook every session, but I did weave the topics into our conversations” she says.
Always supported
Melissa also enjoyed the connection with the Program Counsellor (PC) and other mentors. “My PC was always available to chat and I made use of that support” says Melissa.
Powerful impact
When reflecting on the experience of her first mentoring program, Melissa highlights the changes she witnessed. “I saw young people come in who were reserved or lacking confidence and observed them gain confidence. I saw how the program can be really powerful for young people who are socially reserved or lacking self confidence, to help them feel confident in who they are. I would definitely recommend it and already have. It is an opportunity to make a genuine connection, do something meaningful and worthwhile. I really loved the program.”
