Educational Mentoring Project

The Turkish Cypriot Community Association’s new Mentoring Project is now proceeding to recruit Mentors and Mentees to promote educational achievement of young people from the Turkish Speaking Communities in London. The Project is funded by Children in Need for one year.

 Mentoring today
"Mentoring" is a technique of education and training for change widely practised in urban America and more recently in inner-city Britain with beneficial results for students, their mentors and urban communities.

Where it comes from
The word "mentor" has a Greek root meaning steadfast and enduring. In the Odyssey, Homer gives the name Mentor to the friend whom Odysseus entrusted with the guidance and education of his son, Telemachus. Homeric belief suggests that fortunate youthful adventures benefit from mature guidance. In many cultures of the ancient world "mentors" played an important role in rites of passage from youth to adulthood. Since the 17th century "mentor" has been synonymous with the wise teacher and guide, philosopher and friend.

Why it is important today
Mentoring in its modern form is a response to the need in inner city and ethnic minority areas for "those one-to-one relationships that reinforce hope and offer guidance". It enlists individuals to serve voluntarily as mentors to youngsters who, with consistent support, will make it - through school, into a job, and into self-reliance.

Given the specific educational needs of Turkish Speaking young people and the fact that they continue to under-achieve in British schools, mentoring can be a particularly useful tool to support and empower this section of the community. It is envisaged that Mentors will play a key role within the community, helping to enhance self image, raise confidence and provide positive role models for young people.

Target Group

The Project’s target age group for Mentees is 10-14 year olds, though we are hoping to further develop the Project, at a later stage, to cater for young people over 15 as well as adults in education. The Project has already started to identify potential Mentors and would be keen to hear from all persons wishing to undertake this role and enhance their interpersonal skills.

 We would also like to encourage 16-18 year olds who wish to act as Mentors and develop additional skills, to support and enhance UCAS or job applications, with ongoing support and mentoring from the Project’s

Co-ordinator Ayse Gul.

About the Co-ordinator

Ayse is a qualified teacher and experienced lecturer and trainer whose professional portfolio includes a career in equal opportunities and management within local authorities as well as project management and leadership within the voluntary sector. These experiences, together with her work as management consultant and jewellery designer have allowed her access to all sectors of business, public, voluntary and private, where she has developed a broad range of skills and knowledge  to share with and develop young people and adults. She is also a published poet and journalist with a keen interest in the arts.

Ayse has been active in trying to promote educational achievement amongst young people and adults for much of her adult life. She has been particularly active in women’s organisations where she has developed projects and facilities to enable women to broaden their social and educational horizons and career prospects. Her personal vision for this Project, and her work within the organisation, is that it may soon be broadened to address a wider remit for all age groups. Meanwhile, she is totally committed to the task of ensuring that the provisions of the Project will prove equally fulfilling, and fun, for both Mentors and Mentees.

Training

All Mentors will have the opportunity to attend a structured training course, obtain a certificate on completion, and receive ongoing support and training from Ayse. Mentors will receive an allowance to cover travel and other expences though,  the role will need to be undertaken on a voluntary basis.