07/10/2021

My name is Phil and I have been a ROSE mentor for 5 years. 

I have got a lot out of being a ROSE mentor. I have had new experiences like working with learners with learning disabilities and being on Zoom helping people to learn about how to stay safe from Sexual Exploitation. I find online harder as I can’t see people’s body language and who might need more help. I still find using technology difficult ☹ I have travelled to different places that I never would have seen like Stamford and Lincoln. I like working with Kay, Bridget and all the mentors. When I have been with Anna and the other ROSE mentors, they help me out when I am struggling to read or understand something that has been explained or said. It has been helpful and made me more willing to give new things a go. Being a ROSE mentor has given me more confidence because I was chosen to represent the mentors at steering group meetings. I feel I can speak to more people because of doing this.  

I enjoyed catching up with the mentors at the picnic in June for the first time in over a year as I felt very isolated due to Covid, and it was great to have a chat finally in person. I also enjoyed the weekly welfare calls with Kay and Reach as it gave me a boost and we always ended up having a laugh, which I needed to get me through the lonely days. We were all together at the monthly mentors meeting in September as well and that was great. I volunteered to be a mentor delivering to a college in November. It is a face-to-face delivery and even though I am nervous as it has been a long time, I am also ready to get back to spreading the message to people with learning disabilities of how to stay safe.