Building Confidence, Self-Advocacy, and Emotional Resilience Through Mentoring

One young woman who engaged with our mentoring programme came to us with low confidence, high anxiety, and difficulty expressing her needs in both social and educational settings. She often felt overlooked and struggled to engage with other environments, particularly when feeling overwhelmed or physically uncomfortable.

Through regular one-to-one mentoring sessions, she was supported to build self-esteem, develop emotional regulation strategies, and improve communication skills. The mentoring provided a safe, non-judgemental space where she could talk openly about her experiences and begin to understand her emotional and physical responses to stress.

Over time, her confidence has increased significantly. She became more able to speak up  and is willing to engage in group sessions, where she feels ready to express her needs clearly, and use practical coping strategies when feeling anxious or overwhelmed. She reflected on her experience, saying:

“Before joining the programme, I didn’t think talking about my feelings could help. But the mentoring has helped me feel less alone and more confident in myself.”

She also shared:

“Being able to be heard has made a huge difference. I’ve learned ways to manage my anxiety and stay calmer in uncomfortable situations.”

Her mentor observed a clear transformation throughout the programme:

“At the start, she barely spoke above a whisper. By the end, she was contributing confidently and even supporting others. Seeing her find her voice was incredibly rewarding.”

As her confidence grew, she began advocating for herself more effectively with both family and teachers and expressed a desire to help other young women facing similar challenges.

From a programme perspective, this case highlights the impact of consistent, relational mentoring. The structure of regular sessions and the trusted relationship with a mentor created the conditions for meaningful progress. This experience reflects wider outcomes seen across our cohort, demonstrating how tailored mentoring can support improved confidence, emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of belonging.