Case Study

In their own words, some of our clients and mentors tell their individual stories about what LTM means to them:

Case Study 1: "Giorgio's Pleasant Leap" by Dr Anwar Usmani
Case Study 2: "Sowing the seeds" by Micheal Holder
Case Study 3: "My story" by Hansa Mistry

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Case Study 1:
Giorgio's Pleasant Leap by Dr Anwar Usmani
Introduction:

Please allow me to present my point of view of looking at the way in which Giorgio has benefited through the humble efforts of LTM, like many others in the past.

How it happened:

From the very first learning session of the mentoring conducted by Anjana and Nicole, I can vividly recall a face of a young chap having average build of mature age who was very sober, drowned in his own world, accompanied with his Mother, who surely was a lively and bursting to learn to be more useful for the community. This very young person showed, quickly, unexpectedly rude behaviour, the moment he was involved during learning process, particularly by his Mother. Apparently, a healthy person to whom one could say charming was found to be difficult to open dialogue with, want to talk to and of coming closer to him. It was also found that he was there just for the sake of being there. Mr Giorgio started showing softening in his overall behaviour rom almost second session of mentoring Community Champions programme, where his harsh worded canon balls usage, became very occasional. By the last day of the course, he was a very much changed person who was showing interest in the things around him he clearly managed to break the jail managed by his own convictions. The way he asked me to be his mentee was so attractive that I agreed with total willingness. There I was his mentee where he explored my desire what I would like to do in the future, of course correlating my past activities. In a nut shell it was a fantastic transformation which happened before our very eyes.

Features causing recovery:

The following parameters which have contributed to be the eventual healing ingredients:

1. Very friendly sessions where every individual was involved in the learning process
2. Exchange of subject related ideas after every class and review of last workings
3. Lunch breaks provided mutual exchange of ideas among the participants without being conscious of it
4. The mentoring sessions being the applied part of our learning's
5. The thoughtful and well prepared workings of staff of Luton Training & Mentoring

Lesson:

Most of the people like Giorgio could be brought into mainstream provided an extra effort is put in by someone who cares and has required resources.

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Case Study 2:
Sowing the seeds by Micheal Holder

Michael Holder became a Luton Training and Mentoring (LTM) mentor in 2004 where he became a mentor on their Sowing the Seeds project. Michael mentored a number of young people who had underachieved at school and who were at risk of committing criminal offences, in addition, Michael successfully completed a CIPD Mentoring in the Workplace NVQ Level 3 Course.

The following year, Michael sought help from LTM in developing his business ideas. LTM arranged for him to meet a Business Mentor at Luton's Business Link. His Business Mentor suggested that he complete some of the Business workshops on offer at Business Link and Michael attended 14 workshops. Michael also attended Business Network sessions at LTM. LTM also introduced Michael to individuals who could help with applications for funding.

In 2006, Michael became a mentor on LTM's successful Bangladeshi Support project which incorporated the Bollywood theme in Bedford. He provided quality mentoring at 2 high schools: St.Thomas More Roman Catholic School and Biddenham Upper School once again mentored a number of underachieving Bangladeshi Year 10 and Year 11 young people with positive outcomes.

In 2006, he started another course with LTME the ‘Community Champions’ project. Michael will work towards another Mentoring qualification: BTEC Level 3 (4 units) Mentoring and Coaching.

Michael has enjoyed his association with LTM and feels that he has become a better mentor as he has enjoyed mentoring a diverse section of the community andlearnt about peer pressure, how different cultures value education and why some young people underachieve. In addition, he also enjoys networking with the other mentors connected with LTM.

Finally, Michael said: Mentoring for Luton Training and Mentoring has been a Lifesaver. LTM have provided my life with a purpose, focus and direction, as I recover from cancer and the side-effects of my treatment, I am eternally grateful for the support and encouragement that I have received from Anjana Parmar and Nicole John! Thank you.

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Case Study 3:
My Story by Hansa Mistry
My background:

I moved to Luton & met Anjana at LTM through a friend. I desparately needed help for my son who had dropped out of most classes at school. For whatever reasons, we were going through major family breakup. LTM was a lifeline for us & is still supporting us, it has been over 2 years now.

Courses:

I have gained a qualification in Mentoring NVQ level 2
I have also attended workshops in Business Mentoring

Impact on myself:

I am more aware of situation & needs of young people, better listener, have learned various techniques of constructive & positive ways to help mentees, family & friends. The course has also helped make sense of things that happened when I was young. I wish at that time I had somebody like a Mentor.

Some may ask 'What is a Mentor?':

Some people feel that having a Mentor is not cool - well it is cool because I also have my Mentor and at a late stage in my life. They do not tell you what to do nor do they judge you. You can talk to your Mentor in confidence like you are talking to a mirror. The mirror does not say anything back but your Mentor can guide you & show his/her life experience. There is no harm to you if a Mentor can help you with Options. By talking to someone neutral, you will find that the muddles in your head do clear up and you can move forward to achieve your goals. Furthermore, a Mentor is a person, specially there for you, and for as long as you need him/her.

In Conclusion:

I believe everybody is unique and has something special about them. Thank you to all at LTM for reinforcing my belief and giving me the opportunity to learn how to bring out that something special in young people who feel like they have nothing. Mentors trained at LTM are volunteers from the community & all have unique life skills. I am happy to be one of the LTM lifeline just like LTM has been for myself & my family.

All my best to you at LTM - Keep marching on with your wonderful work.

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