Why Mentors Matter

Photos Courtesy of Mentor Scotland

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Jamie McLean, founder of Mentor Scotland and learning more about the services they offer.

The Men' s Group started in November 2022 and has now expanded to include a Women's Group. They also offer a peer support group for all every Friday night 5.30-9.30pm in the Ben View Resource Centre in Dumbarton.

This includes their mental health talking groups that meet from 7pm - 9pm.

Both groups meet separately to ensure that sessions are safe and supportive and allow members to feel comfortable to share their experiences. The groups are open to anyone over the age of 16.

When describing the services they offer, this is what Jamie had to say.

“Mentor Scotland, is a peer led service, mostly run by volunteers. We aren't professionals, we don't give advice. We just create a safe space for people to feel comfortable enough to share their experiences.

“The majority of our volunteers are trained in suicide prevention. So, if we feel that anybody's struggling, we've got the people there who can help keep them safe until we can signpost them to the appropriate services.”

In the near future they are working with a counsellor to provide their volunteers with training and skill building to help them to better facilitate the groups.

If you fancy getting into nature, Mentor Scotland has a Cold Water Therapy group which meets every Tuesday from 8pm at Loch Lomond Rugby Club. They also have a Walk & Talk group leaving from Ben View at 10.30am every Thursday.

Iʼm told they provide some waterproofs and hot chocolate for those willing to brave the winter weather.

With it coming into the festive season, I asked Jamie if thereʼs a difference in the need for the services.

“On a Friday evening last December, we had 35-36 attendees. So, there was high attendance through Christmas and January.

“There's so much happening in the world right now.

“A lot of people struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder and the cost of living crisis.

“You've got a lot of parents who are probably finding themselves in a bad financial situation. There's a lot of people that have experienced loss and grief. So, there's a lot that's maybe happening in life, and a lot moving for them.”

Mentor Scotland, work hard to ensure they have a welcoming atmosphere but they also have the necessary qualifications to safeguard those members that require it.

Jamie explained: “Peter Prior, he's our chairperson. He's a Safe Talk trainer, so he's just learned to be able to deliver Safe Talk.

“Heʼs trained to help somebody that might be struggling. To keep them safe.

“And I'm also a provisional ASIST Public Health Scotland suicide prevention trainer. I'm currently registered with Public Health Scotland, so I've come a long way in this journey.”

Mentor Scotland have won several awards for their work including Community Group of the Year at the West Dunbartonshire Provost Awards and the Citizens of the Year award, presented by former Provost Douglas McAllister.

Jamie himself was awarded the inaugural VIVA Third Sector Volunteer Manager of the Year 2024 and has been nominated for SCVO Scottish Volunteer of the Year 2025.

When speaking about his experiences starting and developing Mentor Scotlandʼs services, within West Dunbartonshire Jamie added: “I've got some great connections and amazing people throughout West Dunbartonshire that have been a great support to me.

“Sometimes you're just not sure because you're just learning and we're all in this trying to do the same thing.”

Jamie and Mentor Scotland have some great plans for the future. This is what it says on their website:

ʻMentor Scotland is growing! Weʼre committed to working alongside local community groups, charities, and services to ensure that everyone has access to the support they need. By partnering with others, weʼre building a connected, community-led approach to mental health support that reaches far and wide. As we grow, weʼre excited to extend our reach by offering groups and services during the day and expanding into new areas.ʼ

Thanks to Jamie for sitting down for this interview and I wish him and Mentor Scotland all the best for the future.

To find out more about Mentor Scotland visit www.mentorscotland.org/ and follow them on Facebook.