Abdul Koyum became a mentor with Red Kite Learning in 2005. One year on, he has gained employment as a support worker for Community Options, an organisation offering flexible support for people with mental health needs.
It was going to prison that made Abdul stop and think about his future. He was concerned he wouldn’t be able to get any kind of job because of his criminal record and past addiction problems.
Abdul has been drug and alcohol free for three years. He contacted Red Kite Learning in 2005, as he was interested in becoming a mentor for clients with drug addictions.
"I came to Red Kite Learning because I wanted to help people with drug problems and everything else that comes with that, such as anxiety, depression, alcohol, family problems etc," says Abdul.
"I wrote to Red Kite Learning, I thought that having been through this myself I would have a good understanding to enable me to help others."
Abdul was interviewed and given the opportunity to volunteer on Red Kite Learning’s mentoring service.
"That meant a lot to me," says Abdul, "I thought that coming out of prison after a five year sentence people were maybe going to judge me because of my past. "
Abdul has been working as a volunteer mentor for over a year now. He provides one-to-one support for clients with drug addictions.
"This experience has helped me a lot, when applying for jobs I can put what I have achieved as a mentor on my application form or CV."
Abdul has recently got a job working as a support time recovery worker for Community Options, an organisation who support people with mental health issues.
"Without mentoring with Red Kite Learning, I wouldn’t have got this job opportunity – Mentoring has helped to start me off, now I really believe in myself."
One year on, Abdul is enjoying life, he has a job, a flat and is learning to drive.
Abdul on his way to meet a mentee
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For more information contact:
Lizzy Lay, Projects Manager on 020 7928 2439.
