Kieren is giving back to his local community by volunteering as a mentor in York, where he’s building a consistent and supportive relationship with a young person over 26 weeks. Alongside his work in student mental health, he’s also raising funds to support The Island’s work.
Kieren is a mentor, volunteering to support a young person in York across 26 weekly sessions.
Alongside his mentoring role, he works in student mental health at a local university and is also fundraising for The Island.
Kieren tells us why he got into mentoring, and the training that is is going into his next fundraising challenge.
“I’m currently working at the University of York as a mental health practitioner. Over the years, I’ve built up experience across a range of healthcare and counselling roles, including working in AP schools, colleges, and charities.
I’ve lived in York for just over ten years now, and I absolutely love it. There’s a real sense of community here that bigger cities often miss. Outside of work, I spend a lot of time focused on fitness, but I’m also pretty social. Recently, I’ve taken part in a charity boxing match, climbed Ben Nevis, and just got back from a trip to Amsterdam.”
“I’ve worked with a wide range of age groups in different settings, and one thing that’s always stood out is just how powerful a consistent, trusted relationship can be in a young person’s life.
Finding an opportunity with The Island, which is not a discipline, (like teachers in a young persons school) and not completely mental health, (which still has s stigma attached for some young people) was something I could not pass up, and gives me a chance to give back to those that have helped me when I was younger.”
“The ultra run in July is called a Backyard Ultra.
Runners have got an hour to run a 6.706km loop. This is repeated every hour on the hour, until there is only one runner left - The winner! Everyone else is classed as DNF (Did not finish).
It’s a brutal race which people feel is easy - until it isn't. With the small break that you get if you finish the loop before the hour is up, it gives you a chance to fuel and drink before heading back out again.
I find it's much more of a mental game than other races because you can rest and fuel up. It really appeals to me that you can push well past what you thought your limits were. The marathons I've done in the past are all about speed - this is all about distance and mental resistance.”
“Training has been a bit up and down, which is pretty normal when preparing for a big race like this. I’ve been building on the training I did for the Leeds Marathon back in early May, but now the focus has shifted towards longer runs and learning how to eat while on the move.
Honestly, it’s not all bad!”
Donate to Kieren to raise money for The Island.
Emma began her journey with The Island as a volunteer mentor in 2017 while studying at the University of York. She used the skills and experience she gained whilst working at the charity to strengthen her application for clinical psychology training, the field she now works in eight years later.
Molly, a working mother, was introduced to The Island through CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). A CAMHS nurse recommended the service and directed Molly to The Island’s website, where she was able to make a referral.