Each month CITC is spotlighting its work and programmes through the voices and stories of its participants across Manchester.
In the latest story, we hear from a participant who discusses the journey that led them to seek support from City in the Community mentors.
Having moved around a lot, the participant, who is not being identified, expressed a lack in stability. However, since joining a City in the Community programme two and a half years ago, they admit to having benefited from a wide range of positive outcomes.
Sitting down for an interview with the CITC team, they said: “In two and a half years I’ve come such a long way from where I was when I first started the sessions. I don’t think I’d be where I am now without City in the Community.
“The weekly 1-2-1 sessions have provided me with structure. Structure in my life is something I’ve lacked, with having to move around a lot, so the weekly mentoring sessions are of great benefit to me.
“Life is still a bit up and down, but I’ve certainly seen an improvement within myself and my life since being part of the programme.
“It has helped changed my mind-set and my emotions. I understand that certain actions have consequences, and I am more composed in all areas of my life. I also now try to deal with the negative emotions first, before reacting.
“Having that consistency of working with the same person for the whole time I’ve been on the programme is such a benefit to me as well.”
The mentoring programme is aimed at young people aged between 8-18 years. 1-2-1 sessions are delivered to support and guide young people away from the criminal justice system and into positive pathways.
Commenting further, the participant said: “The CITC sessions gave me the chance to just talk through what I was dealing with and get it off my chest, as well as hearing another non-judgemental opinion on the situation.
“The sessions bring no pressure either. You can have a serious conversation, in a non-serious manner, which benefits me more than, say, a therapy style session.”
Through a non-judgemental approach and by adapting sessions to the individual needs of the young people, the aim is to support them in education, home life and in the community.
“I think being able to have chats on a football pitch, not in a room somewhere, I feel more comfortable. I live and breathe it, it is pretty much all I do, so to be able to tailor sessions to a location where I feel most comfortable provides great benefit to me.
“When you’re young, it is hard to be in a room and start speaking about your feelings, especially when you’re having to have the conversations a lot and with different people. So, when it is set up in a less formal setting, I’m able to speak to the mentor almost like a friend, but a friend who has the mindset and knowledge to help me out.”
Throughout October we are profiling the mentoring work of City in the Community as part of National Mentoring Day.
City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/CITC or follow the charity on social media @CITCmancity.
