About:
The Journey Speak My Truth Mentoring: NOTJUSTAFOSTERCHILD
We are a mentoring service rooted in the belief that every young person deserves to be heard, supported, and understood- especially those navigating care experiences or social and emotional challenges. This is more than mentoring. It’s a journey shaped by lived experience, designed to break barriers, build confidence, and create lasting change for young people.
Our mission:
To empower children and young people to speak their truth, strengthen their wellbeing, and move forward with confidence and purpose. We aim to showcase that our young people are not their story.
Our values: SCERH
Safety: emotional and physical safety
Consistency: trust is built through reliability and follow through
Empowerment: young people are supported to lead their own journey
Respect: we work with compassion, dignity and non judgement
Hope: We focus on progress, possibility and long- term change
You care we care!
You care we care!
Our Story
Who we support:
Our mentoring is for:
Children and young people in care (including foster care and supported living)
Young people struggling with confidence, anxiety, low mood, anger, or emotional overwhelm
Young people who feel misunderstood, unheard, or ‘‘labelled’’
Young people at risk of disengaging from education or life goals
Professionals, carers and families seeking a trusted mentoring provision
How it works:
Enquiry/consultation- tell us what support is needed
Matching and planning- we create a simple support plan with goals
Mentoring begins- consistent sessions and regular reviews
Review & outcomes- measuring progress and next steps planning
Samira Ayissi Founder and director of The Journey Speak My Truth Mentoring: I grew up within the care system from a very young age and remained in care until adulthood. Throughout that journey, I experienced first-hand the complexities, gaps, and challenges that many children and young people in care continue to face today—particularly around emotional support, identity, communication, and being understood by professionals. While there were individuals who wanted to help, too often my voice, feelings, and experiences were misunderstood or unheard.
As I moved into adulthood, education, and professional practice, it became clear to me that what was missing for many young people was consistent, trauma-informed mentoring delivered by someone who genuinely understands the care system from the inside. Someone who can bridge the gap between young people and professionals, and support young people to navigate education, relationships, and life with confidence and clarity.
Our approach:
Relationship-led. Trauma-informed. Practical and empowering. We build trust first! then we work on goals with gentle structure. Sessions are tailored to the young person’s pace, needs, and strengths. We focus on progress that lasts. What young people often say they need: someone consistent, someone real, someone who listens. That’s the heart of our work.
What we help with:
Confidence, self- esteem and identity
Emotional regulation and coping strategies
Communication and healthy relationships
School engagement, routines and motivation
Transitions (placements, school moves, independence, adulthood)
Goal- setting, aspirations and next steps
Use of sports-based mentoring to support emotional regulation, resilience, teamwork, and positive behavioural outcomes
Integration of creative arts activities to encourage self-expression, reflection, and emotional processing
Incorporation of music-based engagement to support communication, confidence, and identity development
Delivery of interest-led and experiential activities, tailored to each young person’s strengths, preferences, and developmental needs
Explore our services
We offer a range of flexible, trauma-informed mentoring and development services designed to meet the individual needs of young people, professionals, and organisations.
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Delivered in schools, community settings, or agreed locations
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Focused on peer support, confidence-building, and shared learning
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Providing accessible and consistent support
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Promoting wellbeing, resilience, teamwork, and emotional regulation
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Tailored for young people, schools, and community groups
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For professionals, focusing on trauma-informed practice, communication, and engagement with care-experienced young people
Grab a free chat session
We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your requirements, answer any questions, and identify the most appropriate mentoring or support package for your needs.
Get to know us
Learn more about who we are, what we stand for, and how lived experience and professional expertise shape the way we support young people.
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Contact Us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!