A Mentor’s POV: What Was It Really Like?
We asked one of our mentors, Cait, to share their honest experience of the weekend, from the nerves before arriving to the moments that made it unforgettable. Here’s what they had to say…
“I wasn’t sure what to expect…”
Going into the Jamies Farm mentor training weekend, I was really excited to get stuck in because I absolutely love animals and being hands-on; however, with the excitement came some nerves. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the weekend. Working closely with other mentors whom I had only briefly met via Zoom was quite nerve-wracking, but those nerves went away very quickly once we were all together.
There was only one animal that I was unsure of … chickens! I had been around the other animals at petting farms, but I hadn’t interacted with chickens before; but by the end of the weekend, they were up there with my favourite animals on the farm!
“I would have to say everything!”
When asked what they enjoyed most, the answer was simple: all of it. From the warm welcome by Jamie’s Farm staff and the LOOK team, to feeding animals, herding cows, and collecting eggs. The mentors quite literally got to be farmers for the weekend.
But it wasn’t just about the animals. Evenings brought shared meals, big conversations, and, crucially, a very intense game of UNO that may have been the true team-building highlight!
“What makes Jamie’s Farm so special is the space it creates for people to open up, be honest about how they’re feeling, and connect in a way that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.” Cait
How the Weekend Impacted Me
I wasn’t sure that I would feel an impact from being at the training weekend, but I was so wrong! I went into the weekend feeling quite anxious and quiet, but by the end of the weekend I opened up to people and felt so confident and relaxed. There’s something about the opportunity to be outside and doing something exciting with like-minded people which just feels so refreshing and rewarding!
Looking Forward to our Week-Long Residential
I can’t wait for our week with the young people. Being a mentor is so rewarding, so being able to do that in person with a range of young people from different backgrounds is really exciting. I am looking forward to being able to support and get to know the young people and to see the amazing impact that Jamies Farm will have on them!
A huge, heartfelt thank you to our four incredible mentors for so generously giving up their time to make this training weekend happen. Your enthusiasm and dedication are at the heart of what makes LOOK so special, and we know our young people are in the very best hands this July.
A massive thank you to the whole team at Jamie’s Farm for welcoming us so warmly and creating such a special space for connection and growth.
We are beyond excited for our July residential and cannot wait to see the magic that unfolds. Keep an eye on our socials and newsletter to follow the journey — you won’t want to miss it!
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