A day in the life - Week 2 - The care & Support Mentor

A Day in the Life of a Care & Support Mentor

Written by Laura

"Did you ever need someone and no one was there? I want to be the person for these children that I needed growing up."

So, where do I begin?

I'd probably start from the moment I park my car and turn off the engine.

That part is important.

It's where I leave behind my own thoughts, worries and feelings from everyday life. The engine is off and my day begins. From that moment, I'm here for the young people.

As I walk to the door, I'm usually greeted by a big smile from one of our younger children. Depending on how the day is going, I might also be greeted by a choice word or two. If I'm lucky, I might even get a hug.

Then the day begins.

"Laura, come and see what I've made!"

We head into the lounge where the next couple of hours might be spent looking at Lego creations and hearing every detail about why they're amazing. On this particular day, one of the young people had filled part of a Lego model with glitter.

"Look, it's a Lego glitter bomb! Can I see what happens when it's dropped?"

Of course, the first job is making sure everyone is safe and understands what we're doing. Then, with great excitement...

Boom.

Glitter everywhere.

Lots of laughter, plenty of giggles and, of course, a mess for us both to tidy up afterwards.

Before you know it, it's breakfast time.

As I'm sorting breakfast, one of our teenagers appears.

"Laura, can you make me pancakes?"

"What's the magic word?" I ask.

"Please."

So off I go to make a pile of pancakes, not only for the young people but for the team as well if they fancy some.

Once everyone is fed and hydrated, I move on to some of the everyday responsibilities that help a house feel like a home. General housekeeping, health and safety checks, tidying and supporting young people to look after their rooms all form part of the role.

It's nearly lunchtime already.

Where is the day going?

Next on the agenda is preparing a picnic and getting ready for an afternoon at the local country park.

We pack drinks, snacks and sandwiches chosen by the young person, jump in the car and head off for an afternoon of fun, games and conversation.

What might seem like a simple trip out is often much more than that.

These are opportunities to learn about social situations, explore boundaries and expectations, build confidence and simply spend quality time together. Some of our best conversations happen during walks, car journeys or while sitting outside sharing a sandwich.

It's often during these moments that young people feel comfortable enough to talk about what's on their mind.

Eventually it's time to head back.

"I don't want to go home."

"It's not my home."

Comments like these remind us why relationships matter so much.

"It might not feel like home right now, but it's where you're living with us at the moment. Let's get back and then I'll help you relax."

We arrive back at the house and, after a day full of excitement and activity, emotions start to surface.

This is often the difficult part.

When young people feel overwhelmed, frustrated, sad or confused, our role is to remain calm, caring and consistent. We offer reassurance, therapeutic support and understanding. Sometimes that means talking. Sometimes it means sitting quietly beside somebody. Sometimes, when appropriate and wanted, it means offering a hug.

It's about being present in both the good moments and the difficult ones.

Dinner is ready and one of my colleagues has prepared a beautiful meal.

Everybody sits together around the table, chatting, laughing and sharing stories from their day.

Those moments matter.

For many young people, consistent routines and positive experiences around the dinner table can have a significant impact on their sense of belonging and security.

Later in the evening, I complete the recording and activity reports from the day while colleagues support with baths, bedtime routines and helping young people settle for the night.

Once I've finished my paperwork, I grab a coffee and sit in the hangout area with one of our teenagers who is gaming.

After a while, a beaker appears beside me.

"Laura, can you refill this?"

"Of course I can. Ice with that?"

A smile.

Not much more needs to be said.

Sometimes relationships are built through conversations. Sometimes they're built through trust, consistency and hundreds of small moments that happen over time.

As the evening continues, I head upstairs to check on another young person who I haven't had much chance to spend time with during the day.

We chat.

We catch up.

Then she asks, "Can you sit with me?"

"Of course."

She points to the floor and that's where I spend the remainder of my shift.

Listening.

Not talking.

Not fixing.

Just being present.

When she wants to talk, she will.

She doesn't want to be alone and each time I'm lucky enough to spend time in her company, the relationship grows a little stronger.

Maybe next time I'm on shift she'll ask me to go for a walk.

Maybe we'll watch a film together.

Maybe we'll just sit and chat.

And honestly?

This is work?

It's crazy because it rarely feels like work at all.

Being a Care & Support Mentor is one of the most humbling experiences imaginable.

The children we support have often experienced things no child should have to experience. Through care, compassion, dedication and most importantly consistency, we help them build trust and develop meaningful relationships.

We become positive role models. Not by telling young people how to behave, but by showing them every day through our actions.

We teach by doing.

We support young people through education, family relationships, social activities and new experiences. We help them develop confidence, life skills and resilience. We empower them to have a voice and ensure they feel heard, understood and valued.

Most importantly, we see the young person as a whole person. Not just where they've come from, but where they want to go.

Every day we help young people build brighter futures.

That is why we show up.

That is why we feel humbled, fortunate and grateful to be part of each journey.

I was once asked why I do this job.

The answer is simple.

"Did you ever need someone and no one was there? I want to be the person for these children that I needed growing up."

That's how we make a difference.

Being the person you needed, to become the person you are today.

And finally, I can honestly say it is an absolute pleasure to work with the children at PSS Care Group.

It is a privilege to work within an industry that changes lives and to be part of a company that genuinely cares and always puts children first.

Next Week in our Day in the Life Series: A Day in the Life of a Night Support Mentor

Different roles. One team. Making a difference every day.