IntoUniversity - an individual case study

IntoUniversity aims to nurture the academic and social skills of hard-to-reach young people in order to raise their academic aspirations and realise their full potential.

Yasmin had been finding school life quite difficult.  Although her mentor Rhiannon faced some difficulties with motivating Yasmin initially, she was able to encourage her to work towards targets to complete her school work and in meetings they would often discuss their common interest of fashion design, which gave Yasmin a release from the difficulties at school. 

Yasmin is much happier at school now and visits the centre regularly again.  She is more focused on her school work and is able to manage her time more confidently.

“I have loved having a mentor. My mentor has helped me with my work and she has helped me through my problems at school as well. It has been great to get to know an adult on a social level.  I have also learnt more about university from my mentor and we talk a lot about my future options.  We both like fashion design and my mentor is a member of the fashion society at UCL so she has let me help her design dresses for the fashion show there and we visited the V and A museum together to look at the fashion collection there.  We have also baked a lot of yummy cakes together!”

Before becoming a mentor, Rhiannon had not had much experience working with young people.  To begin with, she found some aspects of the relationship quite challenging and lacked some confidence in her role as mentor. 

Rhiannon has been able to boost her mentee’s confidence which in turn has boosted hers.  She has shown great reliability and initiative whilst mentoring Yasmin through extremely varied and productive meetings.

"Initially, we had found our common ground, I found it was difficult to judge what Yasmin wanted or needed out of our pairing.  She was quiet and sometimes it felt like I was doing all the talking!  But as we continued meeting we developed a routine.  I began to see that she valued our meetings and the fact she could rely on me to be there.  It helped me realise that Yasmin just needed someone to make time for her, listen and show interest in her thoughts and ideas.  Now I see that it takes time to build relationships and, although it can be frustrating, being committed to something always gives rewards.  I have certainly become more patient, and more able to listen.  It also has helped me think about how to relate to others outside my peer group.  I think Yasmin has made tremendous progress; she seems more motivated, and able to apply herself to work; I hope in some way our meetings have contributed to that."

IntoUniversity project
Project co-ordinator: Dan Baker
Contact number: 0207 221 8810

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