In this interview, we speak with Sharon, whose son, Ameer, has been part of the GT Scholars programme since Year 7.  She shares their journey of finding accessible, inclusive support that not only helped Ameer improve his grades and excel academically, especially in Maths, but also boosted his confidence and opened doors to new opportunities. From overcoming challenges in mainstream education to aspiring for university and a pilot’s license, their story is a powerful testament to the long-term impact of personalised, empowering support.

How did you find out about GT Scholars?

We searched online for supplementary Maths support but found that most options were expensive or only offered in-person sessions, which didn’t suit us. This was before COVID, and we were looking for a programme that could accommodate Ameer’s needs. I don’t always call it a disability; I call it a situation, only because of the negativity towards it. We needed something flexible, accessible, and tailored to him, and that’s when we found GT Scholars and decided to apply.

How long has Ameer been with GT Scholars?

He joined in Year 7, and now he’s in Year 12. So he’s been with GT Scholars for a long time!

What impact did the Maths Tutoring have on Ameer?

Ameer has always been bright, but he was placed in a school that didn’t support his learning needs. The situation became so difficult that I had to remove him from school entirely, and from Year 7 to Year 10, he missed out on formal education. It was a challenging period for both of us.

GT Scholars’ tutoring was crucial during this time. Ameer wasn’t keen on Maths at first. He didn’t like failing, and he’s very competitive, so if he felt he wasn’t good at something, he’d avoid it completely. Initially, his grades were low—around a D or even lower—but with consistent tutoring, his confidence grew.

By Year 9, his grades improved to a C/B, and when he finally took his SATs, he achieved top marks—an A! That was a huge confidence boost for him. However, after a term assessment, his grades temporarily dropped to a C due to stress. His tutor, Janet, helped him work through this by introducing daily exam question practice. She wanted him to get comfortable with test conditions so he wouldn’t panic. It worked! His grades went back up to an A/B average, and he became much more confident in handling exams.

Have you seen any improvement and growth in Ameer since he joined the programme?

Absolutely. When he first joined, he was very shy and reluctant to speak up. Over the years, GT Scholars has given him opportunities that have completely changed him.

One standout moment was when he was invited to give a talk at an event on Oxford Street. I was amazed at how well he did—it was a huge step for him. He also attended university visits and student gatherings at Goldsmiths, where he experienced what university life could be like. These events opened his eyes to new possibilities, and he came home saying, “I want to go to university.” That moment shifted his mindset.

GT Scholars also hosted a team-building event at Google HQ, which was an incredible experience for him. That’s when he developed an interest in coding, which led him to join their Code Creators Club. Through these experiences, he started thinking about different career paths, something I wouldn’t have been able to expose him to on my own. I didn’t have the network or the resources, but GT Scholars did, and that made all the difference.

One thing I truly appreciated was how inclusive the programme was. His disability was never seen as a limitation. The tutors were always considerate, asking if he needed breaks or adjustments, but because the sessions were so engaging, he really needed them. The experience was fully accessible and empowering for him.

He also learned valuable life skills: punctuality, structure and accountability. He always liked being on time, but usually on his own terms. Through the programme, he learned to be considerate of others, arriving prepared, respecting schedules and creating a good working environment. These small but important lessons will stay with him for life.

Was there a specific part of our programme that drew you to GT Scholars?

I was initially drawn to the programme as a whole, but what really stood out was Temi. She was incredibly hands-on and passionate about education. Her belief in what young people can achieve made a lasting impression on me.

At the time, university felt like a distant dream, especially considering the challenges faced by students from minority backgrounds. It’s easy to feel discouraged when you look at the statistics. But Temi made it clear that university was possible if we put in the work. She was genuinely invested in the scholars’ success. It wasn’t just about signing up for a programme. It was about long-term growth and opportunities.

As a parent, how did you interact with the tutors?

The tutors were excellent. They had a high level of subject knowledge, but more importantly, they were kind, patient and easy to communicate with. They took an individual approach with Ameer, understanding his grades, strengths and challenges, and worked with him to find the best way to help him succeed.

Did you feel supported throughout the term?

Absolutely! At first, I thought GT Scholars would be a short-term thing, but it’s turned into the longest educational relationship Ameer has had outside of school.

As a parent, I always felt heard. There was plenty of room for feedback, and I could reach out anytime via phone or email and receive a helpful response. The level of support and communication has been outstanding.

What was your experience with GT Scholars as a whole?

It has exceeded my expectations. I would recommend it to anyone, without hesitation!

Ameer has been so happy and motivated. I never have to push him to attend sessions. In fact, he’s the one reminding me, saying, “Mum, hurry up! Are you using the laptop? Can I log in now?” He takes full ownership of his learning, which speaks volumes about the programme’s impact.

Anything else you would like to add?

I’m just incredibly grateful. Without GT Scholars, we wouldn’t have been able to do this.

Ameer now has the confidence to go to university and pursue his pilot’s license, both of which require strong Maths skills. The support he’s received has helped him in both areas.

Janet, his Maths tutor, has been amazing. She’s even responded to last-minute questions before exams, which is rare to find in a tutoring programme. Knowing that kind of support is available has been invaluable.

I’m so happy we joined GT Scholars. Even now, it keeps getting better. It’s been a life-changing experience, and I truly appreciate how non-judgmental and welcoming the programme has been. This interview has reminded me of how far we’ve come. It’s been a journey, and I’m just so thankful for everything.

Naima, mother of one of our scholars, shares her experience of discovering GT Scholars and the positive impact it has had on her daughter’s education and confidence. Naima shares how Ladan has grown both academically and personally through the programme. She also reflects on the benefits of tutoring, mentoring and the supportive structure GT Scholars provides for both scholars and parents.

How did you find out about GT Scholars?

I came across GT Scholars while searching for a mentoring and tutoring programme for Ladan, after she expressed interest in improving her Maths knowledge.

Have you seen any improvement and growth in your daughter since she joined the programme?

This programme has greatly helped Ladan focus on which subjects align with her interests and future goals. This was mainly facilitated by mentoring sessions and enrichment events. The tutoring Ladan received has had a clear impact on her Maths skills, helping her progress from Foundation to Higher level, thanks to the excellent support from Zun and Janet.

As a parent, how did you find interacting with the tutors and mentors?

The clear instructions and guidelines provided by GT Scholars made interacting with the tutors and mentors very straightforward. I always organised the sessions with them and supervised her time with the tutors and mentors. Having different tutors was actually great because we were exposed to a variety of tutoring styles. It’s also valuable for her to meet tutors from diverse backgrounds.

What has your experience been with the organisation as a whole?

As a whole, I have had a very positive experience with GT Scholars. The programme manager always made sure to check in with us to see how the tutoring and mentoring were going and gave us every opportunity to provide feedback. GT Scholars provides a really well-structured programme. The fact that there is a clear point of contact between the tutor and the family is excellent.

Would you recommend GT Scholars to other parents out there looking for a tutoring and mentoring programme?

Absolutely! I would recommend this programme to other parents looking for a similar service. It is very well-structured, and the impact is tangible. The assessments at the beginning and end of each term allow you to clearly see the effect on your child’s educational progress.

Do you have anything else to add?

The programme is very impactful, helpful, and provides a key service for students in state schools who may not have access to further help in subjects they are struggling with. The ability to carry out the sessions digitally is also incredibly valuable, as students and parents are often pressed for time during the term. Also, the newsletter GT Scholars sends out is incredibly helpful as it lets parents know about events happening during term and on holiday too!

We had the pleasure of interviewing one of the parents whose son joined our Inspiring Future Leaders mentorship and leadership programme. Crystal talks about how the programme has helped her son build confidence and build better relationships with his teachers, parents and friends! If you want to read more about Cinaj’s experience on the Inspiring Future Leaders programme, head on over to his interview here.

Have you or Cinaj ever attended any programmes like the Inspiring Future Leaders Programme before?

I’ve put him in a lot of different programmes. This one was quite interesting because it was all males. And it was catered to young males of his age level. So I was really happy that he could take part.

How did you hear about this programme?

There was an email from one of his teachers at the school asking if they wanted to sign up or if they would be interested and it had a little bit of background information attached. 

Why did you decide to apply?

I thought that would be a good idea as he was lacking a little bit of self-confidence at the time. During the lockdown, he became a little bit inward to himself and he didn’t want to do anything. So it was a nice way that he could interact with other people in a fun way. So I thought it would be something different for him to try, and to get himself out there and meet new people in a structured environment.

What were you hoping your child would achieve during this programme?

I didn’t have any expectations because we got a weekly overview about what it would entail, but it ended up being much more than I thought it would be. So I went in with an open mind. Cinaj went in with an open mind as well and was just eager to learn exactly what was to be taught each week. 

In which areas do you feel your child experienced the most growth during the programme?

The cooking session was really good for him. He talked a lot about finance after the two finance sessions. After that, he started talking about coding a bit more and showing interest in the IT industry. He got impacted by what happened in the sessions and got quite excited about those areas.

So this was good growth across the board. He became more aware of the things he was doing and seeing, and started writing them down so that he could remember what he wanted to do. He would make a plan and ask, “At this time, can I go on the computer to do a little bit of coding?” It gave him a bit more organisational skills as well.

Which workshops did you feel helped your child the most? And why?

There aren’t any specifically. I think they all had their own personal benefits, which was a good thing because each week the sessions had something different that they focused on. And although the sessions recapped the previous week’s session in small details, there was always something new. So, my son was getting new information every week.

As a parent, how did you find interacting with your child’s mentor?

I spoke to Hannah a few times. I kind of let them have their individual sessions. She seemed very confident in the topics that she covered. Although this was her first time, she adapted very well to all the questions that Cinaj had. Even after the sessions, she would message me with links to resources on art or web development that Cinaj could try, depending on whatever they spoke about. So even though we had that half-hour mentoring session, she was still working after the session to help him. I really enjoyed that! So the mentorship support wasn’t just for 30 minutes or an hour. Hannah put time into it on the days she didn’t have mentoring sessions with him. 

Do you feel like the mentorship had a positive impact on your child?

Hannah was a good mentor overall. She brought out the IT side of him. After the sessions, he would always ask to get on the computer and say he wanted to do that. So he spent a lot of time doing a bit of coding. He’s built a website now or a makeshift website. So she’s pushed him to do better for himself and helped him decide if this is something that he wants to do. Hannah would say, “Here are some of the resources for his age level.” We’ve explored those resources here and there. So he’s taking it a bit more seriously for himself to see if tech is something he wants to do.

Have you noticed an improvement in Cinaj’s confidence in making decisions for his future?

Yes. So he has decided that he wants to do IT, as opposed to him coming to me and saying, “What do you think I should do when I get older?” So I think he has found his stepping stones a bit. He knows he wants to be in an IT Department or whatever department within that subcategory. But he has found his way in that. I’m quite happy that he has found a bit more confidence in making a decision about his future, even though he is quite young.

Have you noticed an increase in Cinaj’s motivation?

Yes, he is much more motivated. I’m trying to be as supportive as I can within reason. That is why I’ve tried to put him in two different programmes so he can have the opportunity to see if these passions are what he likes and to make the decision for himself at the end of the day.

Have you noticed a further improvement in Cinaj’s relationships with his friends, teachers, family, or you?

Nothing major. He does talk about his future a bit more. He’s got his stepping stones going now and he’s got an idea of where he wants to be. So he’s come a long way in just these couple of weeks of the programme. He’s talking more about his future and what he wants to do. So it’s been a good improvement from that side. 

Did you feel that GT Scholars were supportive throughout the term?

Yes. I didn’t have any major issues. But any questions or concerns I had were answered right away. I didn’t have to wait for ages to get a response. So I feel they were very supportive. If anyone had any questions, they immediately jumped on the questions in the online sessions. So it was really good feedback from the mentors in the programme.

Would you sign your child up for any of our programmes in the future?

I would be happy to sign him up. It would be his decision ultimately. But for myself, I prefer to put him in a lot of different programmes to get his mind going because he is still quite young and also, to see what options there are out there. So I would be happy to put him in the programmes.

What would you say to other parents thinking about signing their children up for the programme?

I would encourage them to join. It was a good experience for the kids. It’s very interactive. It’s fun! We had good laughs. You get to see a change in your child. Their confidence will grow. They will be happy to be in the sessions when they meet every week. It was a very good experience. I had to make sure he was on all the time. He was quite happy when he came off and he had his notes written. So I advise any parent to sign their children up. It’s a good experience. I don’t know what else to say besides that it is a very good programme.

Rate your overall experience with GT Scholars on a scale of 1 – 10.

With 10 being the highest, I would rate it a 9. That was because I felt that the programme should have been a little bit longer, although they packed a lot into such a short period of time. Obviously, you can’t teach them everything, but it’s a good experience for young men and it’s hard to find programmes that cater to young men to keep them occupied. So to have him busy for that time was really good at getting his mind going.

Do you have any final comments or thoughts that you’d like to add?

The sessions that I sat in were really enjoyable. They were quite interactive. It wasn’t just someone speaking to you. You couldn’t just sit there listening, but you had to answer questions and write things down. There is nothing more to say. It was such a good programme.

In our latest parent spotlight interview series, we had the chance to sit down with Justina, a parent of one of our scholars, to find out what her experience on The Bright Ambitions Programme was. During this interview, Justina shares more about how the tutoring sessions boosted her daughter’s confidence in Maths, and how it helped her to become more focused on her studies.

How did you find out about GT Scholars?

I’m part of a group called Women United, and one of the ladies in the group told me about GT Scholars. I decided to look at the website and found that this would be great for my daughter. I then decided to sign my daughter up for one of the programmes.

Have you seen any improvement and growth in your daughter since she joined the programme?

Oh my goodness, yes! It was just amazing! She joined the tutoring sessions because she wasn’t very good at Maths, and I kept on wondering why. We got Rachel, thankfully, who tutored her in Maths. Rachel was wonderful because she would ask my daughter what her specific areas of concern were in those subjects, and every topic where my daughter had complained to me, Rachel broke it down. My daughter was so happy. She turned to me and said, “Mommy, this is something I’ve been struggling with, and Rachel just broke it down in five minutes.” I can’t thank Rachel enough! She also received support from Eliana, who was also fantastic! Eliana was able to discuss some of the areas that my daughter wouldn’t ordinarily think of. She asked questions like if you weren’t studying, what else would you do? Such questions made my daughter think, “If I didn’t do that, what else could I use my skills to do?” So having those discussions with someone else just brought it more to life for her. 

What impact did the tutoring and mentoring sessions have on your daughter?

It increased her self-confidence in general and her confidence in Maths. She may not necessarily participate in discussions around the topics she struggled with. As soon as Rachel broke it down, she could walk into any of her tests with confidence. It showed because there was a difference and growth in her scores. She just needed a little bit of support. For me, that’s a massive plus because when your child is happy, you’re happy! It was her intellectual, psychological and social growth and the confidence in herself in the sense that she’s now a bit more reflective of herself. She now knows a bit more about herself and what she should be thinking about going into the next phase of her life. She had a headstart based on the support she’s had from GT Scholars.

Was there a specific part of our programme that drew you to GT Scholars?

I looked at the programme as a whole, and I think what struck me was that it was geared towards a particular age group. My daughter’s age fits into that age group. I wanted her to maximise any opportunity that came her way. I wanted to see what GT Scholars was all about. So I thought I would try one of the programmes and see how she does. This would give us an indication as to whether we should get ourselves more involved in other programmes like GT Scholars or not. I think in terms of our first impressions, definitely an excellent programme to get on.

As a parent, how did you find interacting with the tutors and mentors?

I found it quite good interacting with them. We had an initial meeting where they communicated very well and were extremely professional and approachable. In the initial meeting, they clearly set out what they would be doing with my daughter, and were very clear as to dates, times, and were very punctual during the times of the appointments, and were extremely supportive. They ensured that we had appropriate access to the whiteboard and everything necessary to support us through the programme. We had a great experience with them

Did you feel supported throughout the term?

I did feel supported. I can’t thank Ivan enough! He would try very hard to communicate with us. I was busy at the time and didn’t have time to read all the emails. The one thing which was very positive for me was that Ivan would always pick up the phone and follow up. Ivan will take time to explain, he would answer my questions, and he would give me clarity. So thank you to Ivan!

What was your experience with GT Scholars as a whole?

Thank you so much to GT scholars for having this programme. We signed on during lockdown, and it was difficult trying to get the children to focus. It was nice to say to my daughter that this is something you can spend your time doing. Writing the essay motivated my daughter to think about herself and what she wants to do. I love the programme! I’ve introduced it to a group of my secondary schoolmates. The mentoring is a bonus, and it’s fantastic. I had a very positive experience with our tutor, Rachel. Overall, it’s an excellent programme. Thank you, GT Scholars.

Would you recommend GT Scholars to other parents out there?

Of course! I’m doing that already! I’m recommending it to a lot of people because I think my daughter benefited from this programme and I’m sure she’s been telling her friends as well in school.

In our latest scholar spotlight interview series, we had the chance to sit down with Jillian, a parent of one of our scholars, to find out what her experience on The Headstart Programme was. During this interview, Jillian shares more about how the tutoring sessions boosted her son’s confidence in Maths, and how it helped him to become more focused on his studies

Have you seen any improvement and growth in your son since he joined the programme?
I would definitely say yes! He is now more open to asking questions and focused on his studies. He also thought about his career options and has a plan on what he wants to study. He assumed that he wouldn’t have to think about a career at this age. Now he speaks more openly about what he wants to do and about going to university. I have definitely seen an improvement and growth in his thinking and his aspirations.

What impact has the tutoring sessions had on your son?
His confidence in Maths has improved. It wasn’t that he was struggling, but he needed that extra confidence to know that he can do it. His tutor helped him in problem-solving and how to work his way through in answering questions. My son is sometimes quite hard on himself because he wants to do well in Maths. His tutor helped him gain confidence and believed that he could do it.

What impact has the mentoring sessions had on your son?
His mentor, Elisabeth, was great. He was a bit resistant at first because, in school, the idea of having a mentor usually gives this perception that you are struggling and you need help. I explained to him that having a mentor is having somebody that can support you, listen to you and share your ideas. They are there to give you advice and support. He then was okay with it. Elisabeth gave us a lot of information about events she had heard about that my son could join. We found this helpful. She was a great mentor!

Was there a specific part of our programme that drew you to GT Scholars or the programme as a whole?
With any parent in terms of improving your child’s academic attainment is always important. It was the 3 model approach of the Bright Ambitions Programme that drew me to the programme. The tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment workshops provided a holistic approach that I knew my son would benefit from. I specifically looked at the enrichment programmes and thought that was a great element for my son to have access to. 

As a parent, how did you find interacting with the tutors and mentors?
I had to work on the interaction with the tutor a bit more. Ideally, I would have liked to have a conversation with the tutor beforehand, to get to know them and lay the foundation. Afterwards, once the sessions began, everything began to run smoothly. Elisabeth was warm and welcoming. She was easy to talk to and built a supportive mentor-mentee relationship with my son.

Did you feel that GT Scholars were supportive throughout the term?
Yes, they are good in terms of supporting parents and keeping them informed. I was kept engaged and was offered ideas and tips on how to make the most of the sessions. The support that they give to the children and the parents is of a very high standard.

What has your experience been with the organisation as a whole?
I might be slightly biased, but I think the work that Temi is doing is exceptional. I believe that it’s deserving of a lot more accolade than it gets. With the work and the effort, and the drive that she has, you can see that this is what she stands for. I think that that’s a testament to the staff and the people involved in the organisation. My experience was really positive!

Would you recommend GT Scholars to other parents out there looking for a tutoring and mentoring programme?
I definitely would recommend The GT Scholars Programme. I often mention it to parents in conversation about the programme.

Do you have anything you’d like to add?
Keep doing what you’re doing, and I wish you all the best! I know it’s been a challenging year for us all, but keep doing what you’re doing. It really is needed.

GT Scholars is a not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity. We run after-school and weekend programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations. Our programmes include tutoring, mentoring and enrichment sessions for young people aged 11-18. Contact us if you would like to know more about any of our programmes and courses.

We had the pleasure of interviewing a parent of one of the scholars on the Bright Ambitions Programme. Nicolina tells us more about her experience, why she wanted her son to join the programme, and the impact that the programme had on her son’s life.

How did you find out about GT Scholars?
I found out about GT Scholars when I received a message in one of my Whatsapp groups. The message was an advert about one of the career workshops days. This caught my attention and sounded like a good idea, so I opened the link, and I must say that I had to really persevere with getting a ticket for the event, but it was well worth it!

Have you seen any improvement and growth in your son since he joined the programme?
There has been a huge change in my son! Although Xavier has always been quite academic, he never really showed much interest in developing softer skills, presentation and teamwork skills etc. Xavier was also very reluctant to take part in anything much extracurricular.  All of this changed after a couple of terms of mentoring with a lovely young lady who works in the City and now with an older gentleman who used to work in IT. Together with the various workshops that he has attended, he is a different person. Xavier can’t wait to do extracurricular activities and has indeed been successful in his application for the GT Scholars Youth Board. He’s incredibly focused on attaining experiences for his CV. From an academic perspective, he’s now even more diligent with his studies and thinks long term. Xavier is now decidedly focusing on universities to attend.

What impact has the tutoring session had on your son?
Xavier’s confidence has increased in mathematics. We had a few hiccups to be fair in respect of his self-motivation. After a few discussions about why he was undertaking the tutoring, he is now much more self-driven and totally self-motivated in respect of his learning and wider academic achievements. He had never undertaken any form of online tuition before GT Scholars, and it took a bit of persuading!  However, after two terms with his tutor, he then went on to request additional tuition to take him forward over the summer holidays! He is now much more confident in online classes and willing to confidently articulate his opinions in groups.  I totally support and respect his newfound attitude to his studies.

What impact has the mentoring sessions had on your son?
He’s a different person now and really embraced the fact that he needs experience and skills to be able to compete in an ever-competitive world.  Achieving success in his academic studies is a given for him, but with the help of his mentors, he has learnt “how he learns” and how to structure his studies for long term success. He’s seriously thinking about getting a part-time job at 16 (or starting his own small business), and he’s really taken ownership of his life path. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes he needs a nudge to get something done, but he’s so much more mature minded in respect of his academic pathway through his GCSEs and into university together with his personal growth plan. He recognises and understands that he’s at an important junction of his life and the choices he makes now has the power to open doors and opportunities in life. He’s much more willing to try new things, and I was so proud of him when he decided to apply for the GT Scholars Youth Board. He survived a 3.5-hour group interview and was successful! He’d never even have applied a few years ago.

Was there a specific part of our programme that drew you to GT Scholars or the programme as a whole?
I am proud of my 15-year-old BME son who can say he’s been to the city and learnt about that world. He can say that he undertook public speaking and led workshops for adults and that he’s done programming at the Google HeadQuarters. He can also say that he participated in a Dragons Den exercise and that he’s now got an idea about his life path for the next 5 years and how he can get to a top university. Wow, I’m really proud and impressed with my son, and I was no way near that put together at his age…

As a parent, how did you find interacting with the tutors and mentors?
The tutors and mentors I have come across have been 110% dedicated to helping my son to be the best that he can be. I’m blown away by the amount that they can cover in one session and simply feel blessed to have had these caring, kind and dedicated people help me to raise my son. They are very special people. I can see that they are well supported by GT Scholars, well trained and are well selected to be mentors.

What has your experience been with the organisation as a whole?
My experience with GT Scholars has been fantastic. I think GT Scholars is one of the world’s best-kept secrets… Temi and her team are totally dedicated to the cause of nurturing our young people in terms of academic and personal growth. It is rare to find this in our society today.  I’d like to give a big shout out to Marilyn in particular who looks after the programmes so well, and she’s lovely…

Would you recommend GT Scholars to other parents out there looking for a tutoring and mentoring programme?
I would definitely recommend GT Scholars!

Do you have anything you’d like to add?
Yes! Your teenage child will likely need some persuading to get started on any programme… Keep persuading and encouraging them because the rewards are worth it. Even though we do not qualify for the subsidised fees, the GT Scholars programmes have been worth every single penny and brilliant. Just do it!

We had the pleasure of interviewing a parent of one of the scholars on the mentoring programme. Bola tells us more about her experience, why she wanted her son to join the mentoring programme, and the impact that the programme had on her son’s life.

Hello, my name is Bola, I’m Daniel’s mum and Daniel was a scholar on the GT Scholars programme. I found out about GT Scholars from a friend.

Why did you sign up to GT Scholars?
The reason why I wanted Daniel to go on a mentoring programme was that he got to the end of year 11, his GCSE was good and he’s grades were in between A-C’s. He seemed to have lost his focus and a sense of direction on what he wanted to do next. Daniel went to college and he was doing fairly alright, but I felt there was something missing. I was looking for a group that could cater to his needs and I was glad that I found GT Scholars. I wanted Daniel to have a focus and direction, and that is why I opted for the mentoring programme so that he would have someone to help him have a direction in life.

What was it like at the start of the programme?
Once Daniel got accepted to the mentoring programme, a mentor got allocated to him, and we had to go and meet Jason at his office. Daniel was very anxious, and I think refusal would be a strong word to use, but he asked me why he needed a mentor. He wasn’t happy at first, but he came along anyway, and I think that was one of the best things for Daniel.

What expectations did you have?
I was expecting a few things from the mentoring sessions. One of the things I think that I got from the mentoring sessions was for Daniel to relate to somebody outside of the family circle. His mentor was also able to arrange for him to go into another workplace so that he could see what other workplaces look like.

What was the joining process like?
Getting involved with GT Scholars, I think it was a successful relationship. When I submitted Daniel’s application, I received an email and a call from Marilyn. Every time I saw the number, I would know it’s Marilyn who’s calling me. I’ve received regular phone calls from her to hear how the relationship between Daniel and his mentor was going and to find out if there was anything they could do to support me.

What was your child’s mentor like?
The first time I met Jason, I could see Daniel related to him, and that made me feel more relaxed about the relationship. Sometimes you may have to go through a few mentors before finding the right one. I’ve had to manage some of the sessions. In the beginning, Daniel was not resistant to meeting with Jason, but he’s diary was quite full at the time. Sometimes I had to tell Daniel that he’s got a session with Jason and that he needs to make sure that the meeting holds because I believe that regular meetings would make the mentoring sessions work.

Why was mentoring valuable for your child?
For Daniel mentoring was not about improving academically, but to have someone to help him with direction and in deciding his next steps in life. I’ve noticed changes in Daniel, simple things like timekeeping, making sure he’s presentable and ensuring once he’s decided to do something, to keep to doing it, and completing the task rather than coming up with excuses.

Would you recommend GT Scholars to other parents?
I would recommend GT Scholars, and I have been advocating particularly for the appearance of young black boys, it is my passion because I don’t want any of our children to be part of the statistics. GT Scholars are doing a really good job, but not a lot of people know about them.

I’d like to say a big thank you to GT Scholars. Daniel started on the programme when he was 16, and I wish that I knew about it when he was younger. The mentoring programme that GT Scholars provides and the impact it had on my son is great. I know sometimes we can’t measure the impact of something, but I can see the impact of faith. I just want GT Scholars to continue to do good work.

In addition, I’d like to say a big thank you to Jason for just listening and being there for Daniel. I know sometimes it was a bit rocky with Daniel not always being responsive, but thank you for sticking with him, getting him through the programme, and getting him to have a focus in life.