Mentors

Sathya Sai Uturn Training Schools bases it whole programme on the "Mentor relationship" and what it means to be a mentor. The school mentors have regular training in the area of "Mentorship" and after each day have an extensive debrief and discussion. The training material is based on the five human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-Violence.

Mentors are asked to practice these Values in their daily lives and always be an example to the students. This provides them with confidence and allows them to deliver to the student individual encouragement, look at their behavioural problems; and support them to turn these around by drawing out the issues into positive learning outcomes. Mentors are to be an example to the students at all times.

The Facilitators

Facilitators provide the programme with expertise in the various crafts. At present the programme uses blacksmithing, leatherwork, woodwork, wirework, ceramic art, electronics, cooking etc. as mediums to provide a skill, bridge the communication gap and build self-confidence.

The facilitators provide their services free of charge to the School. The School is always looking for additional facilitators who may be able to provide different training skills to the students enhancing their overall skill base.

The U-turn Mentoring Tasks

Mentors

• Approach all issues in a non-violent manner and be the example



• Be aware that we are the example and our actions may be reflected by the participating students



• Understand and practice the WATCH -T values

Mentors demonstrate this by:

• Acknowledging the power of words. Words are very powerful, mentors watch the language they use at all times.



• Appropriate actions. Actions are used which demonstrate non-violent behaviour.



• Self management of the mind and thought. Having only thoughts that provide encouragement and good speech.



• Demonstrating CHARACTER. Character is the unity of thought-word-deed. This is integrity-in-action and evokes trust. Mentors demonstrate character that reflects these attributes, thus demonstrating being a trusted and trustworthy person.



• Heart that shows warmth and kindness to each other at the school and provide a secure boundary of self-confidence that demonstrates 100% trust to each other



• Trust is gained through following the five human values and being the example

Mentors demonstrate good work ethics, are observant, arrive on time, be aware that they are the example, become good listeners, and put into practice what they say - this process builds trust.

The Values of Mentoring

Skill, Transfer, Wisdom, Heart, Student Relationship

(a) Skill

There is no requirement for a U-turn mentor to have skills in arts, manual arts or even trade qualifications. Being available is the first requirement. A mentor's role is to listen, demonstrate, share experiences or learn together while carrying out the tasks requirements and be able to share with others that experience.

This action builds self-confidence in both parties. It is important when carrying out these activities that the mentor remains fixed on the U-turn Values and remains the example of these values. Wisdom is a great teacher of knowledge. Experience is gained through practice using success and failure to learn wisdom.

(b) Transfer

Transfer is when knowledge is handed over from one person to another. This may occur by oral communication, demonstration, written or visual learning, or just by story telling. It is important to find your way of communicating with the student.

Speaking with self confidence and truth is one method and applying this in a caring tone often brings positive results. Be your true self not how the student may want you to be only then will your character will shine through. The communication between the student and mentor should be at a heart to heart level to inspire the student to accept and place this knowledge at the highest level within themselves and when this happens the knowledge is remembered.

(c) Wisdom

Wisdom is harmony of the intellect and conscience at its highest level. The conscience may be referred to as the heart. The intellect is our learnt knowledge. When these two are applied together we have experiential wisdom. The mentor can bring wisdom to the student through stories relevant to the situation and expand these by referring to the U-turn values.

Wisdom is gained over time and mostly becomes a life experience and is only wisdom when we understand the meaning of the experience to change an action. Wisdom can be brought together as Group Wisdom which has broader intellectual experience and heart knowledge.

(d) Heart

A mentor may radiate his/her heart through acts of kindness and words. This corresponds to the character building of the mentor and it is through these acts that the students respond most. It is for this reason that we "do what we say" and demonstrate the U-turn values. The learning at U-turn is at a heart to heart level and is about building the students self confidence and Character to reflect good social values throughout their lives.

Heart may be referred to as the conscience. Heart is one of the values of U-turn and corresponds to a Thought taking information to the Heart then deciding what Words or Actions are taken by the reflected feeling. Feeling good about the experience is validated by the response to the action. This requires life long practice and skills to trust our discrimination and have knowledge of ourselves. A practice of good social responses is regarded as wisdom and contributes to the building of one's good Character.

(e) Student Relationship

(i) The relationship with the student and mentor is always strictly professional. The mentor must always ensure that the student is always safe, not physically or mentally abused and the student to adult ratio remains in accordance to the protocols set out in the U-turn Procedures Manual - Reference sheet 7.3

(ii) Physically touching of students is prohibited and may lead to permanent exclusion from the programme. Issues that are raised by the student and are of an illegal or harming matter must be reported to the trainer at an appropriate time for the appropriate action. This may be an issue of trust however the safety of the student is paramount.

(iii) The student is the most important person in the programme. It is the role of the mentor to make them welcome and comfortable in the work environment. They may require encouragement, support, friendship, guidance, reprimand and tutoring.

(iv) The U-turn mentor is the most important person in the programme after the student and provides the student with the opportunity to listen, respond, provide guidance, nurture, build self-confidence and trust.

(v) Trust the U-turn process and it does take time.