This International Volunteers Day, we are celebrating our incredible Mentors who are working with us to empower young people in their communities. We asked Sanjeev to share his experience as a Volunteer Mentor since joining our Autumn 2025 cohort.
What inspired you to join The Diana Award Mentoring Programme?
I wanted to volunteer as a mentor for The Diana Award because I know first-hand how much difference one supportive person can make. Growing up, I didn’t always have someone who understood my challenges or believed in my potential, and that experience shaped me. When I learned about The Diana Award’s focus on empowering young people and giving them a voice, it resonated with me immediately.
What has been the most rewarding part of your mentoring experience so far?
I wanted to be the kind of mentor I once needed - someone who listens, encourages, and helps young people see the strengths they might not notice in themselves. Being part of a programme inspired by Princess Diana’s compassion and commitment to others felt meaningful to me. Volunteering as a mentor isn’t just about giving advice; it’s about helping someone grow, feel confident, and realise they’re capable of achieving more than they think. That’s why I wanted to get involved.
.jpg)
Why do you think volunteer mentors play such an important role in supporting young people's futures?
So far, I’ve learnt that mentoring is as much about listening as it is about guiding. I’ve realised how important it is to give young people space to express themselves, and how powerful it can be when they feel truly heard. I’ve learnt that every young person has their own strengths, worries, and ways of seeing the world, sometimes all they need is someone who believes in them.
I’ve also learnt more about myself.Supporting someone else has made me more patient, more understanding, and more aware of the impact my words and actions can have. I’ve learnt that I don’t need to have all the answers; what matters most is being consistent and encouraging.
Mentoring has shown me how small moments through maybe a conversation, a challenge overcome, and a boost in confidence can create real long-lasting change.
Celebrated annually on 5th December, International Volunteers Day is mandated by the UN General Assembly and recognises the power of collective action: if everyone did.
We are currently recruiting for more Mentors. If you want to support young people in the lead up to their careers, join us as a Volunteer Mentor for our Spring 2026 Cohort.
Applications are open until 7th January 2026. Follow the links below to find out more information and apply.
“Every gift, every action, every share – mobilise a young changemaker, your way”
Bullying is never just a passing experience. For some young people, it leaves lasting emotional scars.
We all have ‘emotional emergencies’ sometimes. Times when our minds need looking after. Here are some ways you can build your emotional first aid kit.
