A Crucial Role
Mentoring and supporting a client is a crucial element of engaging them in order to improve their lives, outlook, and well-being.
An initial discussion of the client’s specific individual needs should be undertaken with great attention placed on their personal feelings and circumstances.
To be a good Mentor / Support Worker, open and honest discussion with the client is paramount, and sometimes lived experience can be very helpful in being able to communicate and empathise.
For instance, a Mentor with lived experience can certainly understand a client with similar issues and be able to relate in a unique way. Also, the client may be able to disclose and confide in a more relaxed and comfortable environment where they do not feel judged, but listened to, and their feelings validated.
The client should be able to choose when they engage with their Mentor, and regular communication, either by phone, Zoom, or face-to-face meetings is essential to “bond” and create a trusting partnership.
Consistency is important to create routines that may help with a sense of safety and security for the client.
Many clients with Mental Health issues benefit from learning or relearning skills that may have been impacted by their circumstances, and these can be everyday “normal” things like showering, getting dressed, food preparation, housework, and caring for pets.
A Support Worker can be pivotal in modelling behaviours that are going to assist with positive change.
Some Do’s and Don’ts For being a great Mentor/ Support Worker
- Do listen. It is important that the client is heard and acknowledged.
- Do observe. What is the client’s demeanour like? Are they presenting as happy, sad, depressed, excited etc? Are there any safety issues ie hoarding, electricity hazards, or animal care that is needing to be addressed or monitored?
- Do be considerate. If you are transporting clients, be on time and pick them up in a clean vehicle. Also, be mindful of mobility issues. You may have to store walkers or wheelchairs, so make sure your car boot is clear.
- Don’t judge. Every client will have a different way of living, and as long as they are safe, not in any danger, and have support, there needs to be respect.
- Don’t cancel at the last minute. Obviously, we all have life issues that happen unexpectedly, and that is going to happen occasionally. But be mindful that for a client who may only see a Mentor or Support worker once or twice a week, you may be the only person they see, and that becomes a crucial social experience for them.
- Don’t be confrontational. Always be calm and use calming and diffusing language if a client becomes upset for any reason. This may happen due to Mental Health issues, Autism, or the client may just be having a bad day. A well-trained Mentor/Support worker will be able to diffuse or manage this situation, with the
proviso that should an emergency arise, then appropriate services should be contacted.