trust, wisdom - and fish and chips!

Volunteers’ Week Q&A with Safiyya, KRAN Mentor (since March 2026).

What's the significant moment where you felt the mentoring relationship really clicked?

When my mentee (17) celebrated Eid and sent me some wonderful photos and videos of their celebration. I felt like they really trusted me to share that experience, which was a really significant moment in their life.

What's something your mentee has taught you?

I have learned that through hardship there is amazing growth and that just because a person is very young, it does not mean their outlook is youthful. The wisdom that has come from my mentee is admirable. 

What's a challenge you've faced in this role that people outside it probably don't imagine?

Obviously the language barrier can be a challenge sometimes. This is easily overcome but can sometimes make the mentee feel embarrassed or shy, so you have to get creative to continue to encourage confidence and boost moral. 

What's one story or experience from your time as a mentor that you keep coming back to?

I really enjoyed my mentee experiencing fish and chips for the first time as they had never tasted it and kept seeing signs for it everywhere and were intrigued! They then shared it with their housemates, who told me they also enjoyed it.