Mentoring for Everyone

Mentor

Andy Lewis MBE

I am one of the directors at Bespoke Mentoring with 4 years of mentoring, a background in elite sport,  years-experience of working in the corporate works and a huge passion for helping others. I am the current reigning Paralympic, World, European & British Triathlon champion honoured with an MBE by HRH Prince William. I am educated with a MSc in Technology, honoured with a doctorate by Bristol University in 2018. I suffer with ADHD & Dyslexia and have done since a small child but never let this stop me.

I am the father of 2 children and love to be outdoors with them whenever possible. In the photo above, I’m pictured on the podium in Rio after winning GOLD.

I love cycling and the freedom it gives me to explore, I am well travelled and visited 6 out of 7 continents, I absolutely thrive on seeing others achieve, I have helped people go from being at their lowest to achieving great things. I have lots of energy and don’t stop until the job is done.

Alongside my role as a mentor, I am experience working with large corporate firms and individuals within the business sector, I continue to mentor children in primary schools and help those with high levels of activity and low aspirations.

I currently work PT as a engagement officer in the Forest of Dean and In this role I support a number of individuals, I have a diploma in mentoring and coaching and triathlon coach.

I don’t have much free time or not that i try to have, I do love Motox and enjoy taking my son away on weekends to ride, listening to music, biking and socialising with friends and other families.

My qualifications and certifications include:

• Lv 3 Sports Coach
• Level 3 mentoring and coaching
• Child Protection trained
• Mental Health First Aid
• And many more linked to past positions and statutory safeguarding guidance.

Mentor

Deborah Roberts

Hello, I’m Deborah Roberts, everyone calls me Debs.

I live in Chepstow and grew up in the Forest of Dean, so I haven’t moved far, although I did spend two years in Australia with my mother’s family when I was 10, which was a wonderful experience. Two years ago, and after having 5 children, I decided I needed to start to develop my career, so I embarked on an Open University Degree Course – BSC Honours in Sports, Fitness and Coaching.

Finding time to study at the same time as managing the demands of the children who range from 13 -3 has certainly been a challenge that has taught me a lot about myself, especially as I left school with few qualifications.

Being fit and taking part in exercise is really important to me; I love walking, riding and encouraging my girls to enjoy being around horses as I did when I was a child.  I also enjoy listening to music, socialising with family and friends and mountain biking – when I can!

I’m currently studying at the OU, on a course covering:

• The benefits of sport and recreation
• Sports Science
• Nutrition
• Mental and Physical Wellbeing
• Motivation
• Community Engagement
• How sport can benefit young people who are bullied, self-harming, suffering from depression, trauma

I have a number of training and safeguarding credentials:

• Current DBS through Pembroke School and Monmouthshire County Council
• Level 2 – Safeguarding Children course
• Teaching Tag Rugby – WRU
• Level 3 Diploma in Mentoring

Mentor

Chris Powell

I am a director at Bespoke Mentoring with 17 years-experience of working in the education system and have worked at every level from student, to currently chair of governors at my children’s School. I am the father of 6 children and love to be outdoors with them whenever possible. In the photo above, I’m pictured to the left with my fellow director Andy, on my right.

I love pretty much all sports, but football I absolutely love! I am very active and spend most mornings out on my bike before anyone is out of bed at home. I have lots of energy and have the patience of a saint and find this very helpful when working with children.

Alongside my role as a mentor, I currently work as a Lead Teacher for Healthy Schools and Collages for Gloucestershire County Council. In this role I support a number of schools with individual support, curriculum development and training.

I work with people from 5 years of age upwards. I think the oldest person I have worked with has been 87. She was the nan of a student who attended a Hospital Education programme and she left with some great archery skills! I have in the past worked with some of the most vulnerable children in Gloucestershire, either through Hospital Education or other alternative provision settings.

I don’t have much free time with 6 children to entertain, but I do like playing footy, listening to music, biking and socialising with friends and other families.

My qualifications and certificates include:

• Fully qualified teacher – Bed Hons
• Level 3 mentoring and coaching
• Child Protection trained
• Mental Health First Aid
• And many more linked to past positions and statutory safeguarding guidance.

Mentor

Rachel Done

Hi my name is Rachel Done and I run `Tewkesbury Yoga for Health and Wellbeing`.

I have a lengthy history some 25yrs of working with Young People both informally as a Youth Worker and then more formally at Tewkesbury School as Head of PSHE and their Wellbeing Mentor. I am extremely interested in Health and Wellbeing on all levels Physical, Emotional/Mental and Spiritual. I get a great deal of satisfaction and personal growth from educating, supporting and motivating people to take control of their own destinies and be alert to all of the possibilities there are within themselves.

My personal interests include Yoga Practice and Philosophy, Walking, Running, Listening to Music, Reading, Socialising with Friends and Family, Health and Wellbeing, Nutrition, Listening to Podcasts.

My past projects include:

• Head of PSHE and Wellbeing Mentor at Tewkesbury School
• Local Youth and Community Worker Link Rd
• Youth and Community Project for Young Runaways.
• Checkout Supervisor Safeways
• Fulltime Mum

My specialty areas include:

• Delivering and Developing any topics from the PSHE Curriculum for KS 3,4 and 5 and above.
• Supporting Young People with a variety of issues such as Trauma, Bereavement, Depression, Self-Esteem, Stress/Anxiety, Emotional Intelligence and Self Awareness, Relationships, Parental Separation, Drug and Alcohol Abuse. I use a variety of resources and materials such as SUMO, CBT, NLP, Therapeutic Breathing Techniques, Meditation and Mindfulness
• School Yoga and Wellbeing Sessions for Teachers and Pupils
• Teaching Breath work to Manage Stress and Anxiety, Insomnia etc.
• Work Place Yoga and Wellbeing Sessions.

I am DBS and Child Protection certified, as well as holding other qualifications:

• Foundation Degree in Education and Learning
• Accredited PSHE Practitioner Level 6
• Diploma Effective Interventions into Domestic Abuse
• Diploma NLP
• Diploma CBT
• Diploma Psychodynamic Counselling Skills
• Qualified Yoga Teacher and Therapist AYS
• Pregnancy Yoga- Ongoing
• Trained and Volunteered with CRUSE Bereavement Care
• Numerous Course with GHLL including Regular Lode Seeker Training for the Health Schools Review.
• Drug and Alcohol Awareness and Screening, extensive training around Sex Ed, STI, Contraception, LGBTQ+ Consent, Grooming and Exploitation, Sexting.
• Self-Harm, Mental Health First Aid (full course) Winston`s Wish, etc

Mentor

Claire Jewitt

I’m  a professional working mum with 3 children (triplets). I’m a warm, caring person with a wealth of knowledge and experience. I can support your child individually or in a small group with behaviour and social skills, help them to manage and cope with their emotions, build their confidence and self-esteem. I enjoy all sports especially gymnastics, football, netball and rugby.

I currently work in a high street bank and have been there for over 32 years. I love spending quality time with my family, walking the dog and
going to the gym. I enjoy watching all sports especially football, having movie & popcorn nights with my family, going out for a nice meal with my
friends & family.

• Advanced Level 3 personal trainer, gym, fit ball and kickboxing instructor.
• Nutritionist & Weight Specialist.
• Level 1 Netball coach.
• Level 3 Teaching Assistant, with an additional SEND qualification.
• Level 3 Mentoring & Coaching Certificate.
• Paediatric First Aid Level 3 Certificate.
• Child Protection and Safeguarding Certificate.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Awareness Certificate.

Gary Mairs – Virtual only

Hi i’m Gary.

I’m originally from Scotland, but I grew up near Manchester.

After 8 wonderful years teaching English all over Spain for a private university, I decided to move
back to the UK in 2020 and have since become a father to my tiny, gorgeous daughter.

At the age of 33 I rebuilt my life after a 15-year battle with alcohol and learned a lot about myself in
the process. Now, at 41, I want to dedicate my time to mentoring and supporting those who need it
most.

I’m also about to launch my podcast which focuses on gaining wisdom, finding meaning and seeking
wonder.

Personal interests;
Backpacking without a plan is my ultimate hobby, but fatherhood has put the brakes on that a little!
I love to meditate and do yoga, and as I get older, I read more philosophy and practice stoicism to
keep me grounded. I also commentate on Premier League and Champions League football matches as
a secondary job.

Past work/projects;
● My own social media project with short videos encouraging young people to be
brave, take on more personal responsibility, find meaning, and to acquire the
mental fortitude needed for life.
● ‘Street Slang English’ – A Facebook group teaching high-level English learners
British colloquial language.

Training & Safeguarding checks:
DBS Screening (Bespoke Mentoring Ltd & CiC))
Mentoring Diploma level 3
Child Protection Training level 2
Paediatric First Aid level 3

Berlitz – Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Eliza Ryan – Care Leaver Peer Mentor Lead

Hi, i’m Eliza

I am 21 years old. As well as being Gloucestershire’s peer mentor coordinator I am an ambassador (which I’ve been doing for 5 years now!) I am also a part time youth worker. I’m very passionate and enthusiastic about this peer mentoring project because I don’t think there is enough help or support for young people on their journey from being in care to becoming a care leaver. I have experienced the ‘transition period’ myself and feel like there is so many things that could be done to improve this time and to make young people feel more prepared and relaxed. That’s why we came up with the idea of having peer mentors so you can talk to people who have been in a similar if not the same situation as you.

What I’m currently up to:

Being the peer mentor coordinator is my main job and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to be able to help shape this new service and to support the mentees and mentors, its something that I have dreamed about for a long time! I am the person you can come to/contact if you have any questions, worries or any help with anything. You can contact me by email, phone or text and I will do what ever I can to help my ears are always open. My role as an ambassador is my second job, I spend a lot of time doing this alongside being the peer mentor coordinator. We do lots of things including interviewing, training & mentoring social workers, foster carers, senior managers and directors. Our main aim is to give the young people of Gloucestershire a voice by gaining feedback about the services Gloucestershire county council provide and put your messages across to all of the corporate parents (the people who have a big part in making the decisions for children in care) if this is something that you think you may be interested in then let me know and we can talk in more detail about the projects we do and you may be able to help us with some or apply to be an ambassador when we are recruiting.

 What makes me a good mentor?

• I have a lot of lived experience so the chances are whatever you talk to me about I have either been their and done it myself or know/supported someone who has so trust me when I say nothing you could ever say to me will shock or surprise me. I am a non judgemental person I would never think different of you for anything that you have ever been through, experienced or something that your friends or family has done or anything you have done in the past as I know from personal experinces it easy to get tarred with the same brush as other people or be constantly be judged on mistakes that you have moved on from or labels that have been given to you and written in your files by social workers or other professionals.
• I like to get to know anyone I work with on the level they would like me to know them, I would never ask other professionals about you or your life. I feel very strongly that when working with someone they should have the freedom and choice to be able to share or not share what they like with me. There will probably be some things you want me to know and others you wont want me to know and that’s fine as I’m such there may be things you will tell me that you maybe wouldn’t tell another worker which Is also fine. Anything we talk about will be kept confidential between us unless something you tell me is something that puts you or someone else in immediate danger for example that you/someone else is going to hurt themselves or someone else. In this case I would have to pass the information on but I would let you know I was going to do this before I did. As long as no one is in danger everything else will always be kept between us unless I have your permission to write notes about things such as progress we have made in our sessions like looking at the best company to get flooring for your flat from etc. But of course this is optional i don’t have to but would be good for you to be able to look back and see your own progress in the time we have been working together.
• I am an open, honest, upfront and easy to talk to person. i will always do my best to help and support you whilst being your mentor. I am always open for you to ask me about my own personal experiences if you have a question you would like to ask me and you feel my experience would help you. So never be afraid to ask me anything, we always say at work that we have the right not to answer anything we don’t feel comfortable with (not that this has happened yet though).

        Interests:

• I love my dogs! I have 2 french bulldogs. Bella is 9 weeks old and ronnie is 1.
• I love food, going out for dinner, take aways, home cooked food literally anything but roast dinners and italian are my absolute favourites!
• I always have to have my eyelashes, nails & a tan. Those are essential in my life withough these I look like a potatoe haha.

I love listening to all sorts of music including, drum&bass, chart music, reggea, hiphop/drill ect basically a bit of everything so please do show me you favourite songs.

Blaine Smith

Hi, i’m Blaine.

Born too late in the year 1990, I was born in Gloucester and raised in The FOD (Forest of Dean).

I Have always been surrounded by sport and being physically active, I didn’t have much choice with a dad who lived and breathed local football. All through my education and working life I have coached and competed in sports ranging from soccer to American Football (which I still play regularly), also having a degree in Sports Development.

I always thought The FOD was enough for me, but I have since come to realise that I may (secretly) be a lover of Australia – I spent 9 months there in 2019, working up and down the west coast. This allowed me to pursuit other hobbies that include Snowboarding and Surfing.

Right now, I am a small business owner – I operate a fitness studio in Huntley (just outside Gloucester) where I deliver 1:1 personal training sessions. This allows me to be flexible with who I see on a regular basis. It also means I have a base of operations for anyone looking for a place to train securely, with all the kit they would need.

Qualifications

BSc Sports Development

Personal Trainer level 3

Nutritional Advisor Level 2

Paediatric First Aid

Safeguarding Children

Mentoring & Coaching

Experience

A lot of what I do now is educate individuals and small groups on health and well-being. That is with the generic things like sports and physical activity, but also the importance of habits, nutrition, motivation, mental health, values, and goals.

My background also involves coaching within a gym environment, personal training 1:1 and large groups. Coaching and delivering outdoor activities to large school groups on educational residentials e.g., Abseiling and Kayaking.

Personal Interests

Sport and physical activity take up a good portion of my free time, but away from that I love the cinema, eating Pick & Mix, spending time with friends and going to watch England Football team play.

Andy Yapp

Hi, i’m Andy.

I’m 60 years old and I live in Cheltenham having moved here in 1999.

I have two sons who are now young men and finding their own way in life.

I don’t have any pets although I love animals and anything creative will attract my attention.

I have travelled around the world twice with the Merchant  Navy. I’ve had a variety of work experiences including Police, Broadcasting and for the past 15 years I have worked as a Therapist predominantly helping those struggling with issues around addiction.

Alongside my work as a Therapist I have been able to learn to play the guitar and sing. I have done a lot of work in Care Homes entertaining the residents which have resulted in some of the most profound experiences of humanity.

I try to live my life in the principle that ‘Home is where the heart doesn’t have to hide’

Personal interests;

• Golf,  walking, cooking and spirituality

Past work/projects;

• Merchant navy
• Police
• Sales
• Broadcasting
• Counsellor/Psychotherapist
• Self Employed

 Training & Safeguarding checks:

Levels 2,3 and 4 Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)

Diversity and equality

The Essentials of Psychosynthesis

DBS Screening (Bespoke Mentoring Ltd & CiC))

Mentoring Diploma level 3

Child Protection Training level 2

Paediatric First Aid level 3

Holly Smith

Hi, my name is Holly.

I have been working with children, teenagers, and young adults since I left university in 2009. I have always been passionate about helping others and sharing kindness and support where I can. This has led me to work with a diverse group of clients with individual needs related to their Autism, ADHD, PDA and other. During lockdown several of my clients struggled which prompted my transition to becoming and mentor and gaining the education to meet their needs in such a difficult time.

I have a background in behaviour analysis providing me with the knowledge and understanding of why behaviour occurs which informs my interactions to best support my mentees. I studied Acceptance Commitment Therapy to add to my knowledge and help with identifying who my clients want to be, what their goals are and overcoming the barriers they may have to reach these goals. Being a part of this journey is incredibly rewarded and exactly why I love my job.

Personally, I have many interests and hobbies. All of which I’m terrible at but love, nonetheless. These include tennis (awful at, not even sure on the rules), kayaking (petrified to fall in but love), DIY (not bad at this), rock climbing (fear of heights so might need levering back down), gaming (but you will definitely win) and beauty/fashion (at least I’m safe getting my nails or eyebrows done).

Training & Safeguarding checks:

• DBS Screening
• Coaching and Mentoring Diploma level 3
• Safeguarding children level 2
• Workplace First Aid training level 3
• Masters in Behaviour Analysis
• Degree in Psychology
• Acceptance Commitment Therapy level 2
• PDA
• 5 x National Autistic Society courses

Meg Walkerdine

Hi, i’m Meg.

I am 26, mother to my little boy and I was previously a self employed cleaner.

After years of being in and out of various jobs including being self employed, I realised this wasn’t my dream job and started studying a BSc Honours degree in Forensic Psychology through the Open University along side my job. It was when I started my current studies with the aspiration to become a child psychologist that I knew I needed to start doing what I love doing the most, helping people through this crazy life journey and to help them realise their potential and reach their chosen goals.

Although I’m only 26, I would say that I’ve experienced many life events including the loss of my mother and sister at a young age, a loss of a friend through suicide and I’ve watched friends battle with addiction due to mental health issues. After experiencing first hand the effects of these life events, I knew that I needed to help people who might be facing similar difficulties in their life without any judgment.

I strongly believe that helping one person might not change the world but it could change the world for that one person and their growth and journey is something that I want to help nourish and positively guide.

In my spare time I enjoy listening to podcasts, studying, listening to music and swimming.

 Training & Safeguarding checks:

DBS Screening (Bespoke Mentoring Ltd & CiC)
Mentoring Diploma level 3
Child Protection Training level 2
Paediatric First Aid level 3
Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3

Mentor

Matthew Webb

Hi, I’m Matt

I’m 25, Born in Liverpool but moved to the forest of dean at a young age (so no accent).

Growing up music was a really big thing for me, and I studied it all the way to uni. Due to an unforeseen hand injury though, I did have to drop out. But this has not stopped me and my musical ability! I still like to play my guitar and to produce music to the industry standards. I used to be in a band when I was younger, we played a lot of local gigs and festivals all around the forest. I’m also really into my computers and basic IT things including: Network management, python coding, a small bit of game development, Cloud computing and anything really to do with IT. I’m a bit of a traveller also, having currently been to 10 countries and trying to go to many more! I like being outdoors, going for long hikes and riding motocross bikes in my spare time.

As being a child from the care system, I can really relate with the mentoring program and see what good it’s doing for all the people involved (in care or not). I’m really excited to be a part of something that I didn’t have access to when I was leaving care or in a vulnerable state. Being able to use my past experiences to help others and support them in their needs is going to be so rewarding for the mentees and myself. Working together with the team to achieve the same goals for the better of other people.

Personal interests:

• Producing music and playing guitar.
• Reading.
• Walking and physical exercise.
• Learning Python programming.
• Baking and cooking.
• Playing Video games, both casually and competitively.
• Outdoor activities (kayaking, canoeing, motocross, and mountain biking).
• Table-top board games (Warhammer, Magic the Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons).

Past work/projects:

• ICT Infrastructure Technician for GCC

Training & Safeguarding checks:

DBS Screening (Bespoke Mentoring Ltd & CiC)

Mentoring Diploma level 3 (Complete)

Child Protection Training level 2 (Complete)

Paediatric First Aid level 3 (Complete)