Lewis, mentor

Lewis is a personal trainer and mentor to Dyllan. He wants to work full time with children in the future.

Why volunteer as a Chance UK mentor?

'I've always been good at working with children, and I'd noticed that a lot of the children in my area didn't seem to be doing very much. I saw an advert for Chance UK on the bus, and contacted James, their volunteer recruitment officer, to find out more about it.'

How did you get started?

'The training was held on three days across three weekends and was excellent. It helps you to realise what's involved, and the fun stuff you can do! They're very good at looking at all the positive aspects of helping a young person, but they look at it from all angles, for instance, looking at things like your own personal safety in different backgrounds and environments.

'During the training they monitor you and just after the training finishes there's an interview, to discuss what you like doing and why you think you should be a mentor. You look at your own lifestyle and stuff to help match you up with a young person.

'They did a pretty good job of matching us up because my first impression of Dyllan was that he reminded me of me, growing up in the same area. I think I saw myself in him. He was very quiet at first, but then so was I - I think we were both a bit nervous.'

What exactly do you do?

'I'm a personal trainer, so I've always been into sports. Dyllan really liked playing football, it's not my strongest sport but I started playing with him. His family wanted him to get into boxing, so I took him along to show him what it was like. We did other things too, like going on the London Eye and a trip to Arsenal Stadium, as well as going out to eat.

'Dyllan didn't talk much, but his behaviour got better and we built up a good relationship over the time we were matched up. I think I cheered him up, taking him out of his home environment and showing him new things that I thought he'd enjoy doing.'

What are the benefits?

'Chance UK have a graduation ceremony at the end of the year where volunteers and the children they're matched with both 'graduate' and there's a presentation and a certificate.

'I didn't think the graduation was going to be on the scale that it was. For children of that age, it gives them a great feeling of achievement that they've done something special. They get to meet the Mayor, have their photos taken, and someone reads out all the things they've been able to achieve during the mentoring.

'I want to work with children, and volunteering has helped me get some of the experience I need. I also made a new friend for a year and I really enjoyed that. No matter how my day had gone, I always looked forward to seeing him, even if he wasn't in a good mood, he always managed to put a smile on my face.'

Could you do what Lewis does?