What PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY
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What PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY *
“I’ve known Tshiami for a few years now. When I met the guy, he was the same height (short) but had more hair and less muscles than he has now.
As well as his height, another thing that has remained the same is the massive heart he holds. It was full of compassion, humour and joy back then, and it still is now.
He is always there when things get tough, or when I don’t understand something. He has been the definition of a shoulder to cry on, but has also been a shoulder to push me forward. His presence in my life has provided stability, comfort and warmth.
At the start, I saw Tshiami as one of my church leaders. Then, he became a friend. Now, I see him as an actual member of my family. To me, Tshiami is more than a mentor; he is my elder brother.
He always goes above and beyond for me and for others. He is a person you can always approach. And he’s always faithful. I can wholeheartedly say that he has changed my life for the better. He was the missing piece I didn’t know I needed.
Forever inspirational, and forever my big brother.”
MEEKS, MENTEE
EMMA, PARENT
“Watching my son grow over the last four years, I can confidently say that Tshiami has played an important part in that journey.
What started as mentorship quickly became a relationship built on trust, consistency and genuine care.
Tshiami is more than a mentor; he is someone he [my son] looks up to, confides in and respects like an older brother. In a world where positive role models can be hard to find, having someone who has consistently shown up, listened, encouraged and believed in him has been invaluable.
There have been many moments over the years when a conversation with Tshiami has lifted my son's spirits, helped him see things differently, or given him the confidence to keep moving forward.
Tshiami has a natural ability to connect with young people in a way that makes them feel heard, understood and valued.
As a parent, one of the greatest gifts is knowing that there is another trusted adult in your child's life who genuinely wants the best for them. That is exactly who Tshiami has been for my son. His guidance, patience and encouragement have helped shape the young man my son is becoming, and for that I will always be grateful.
I wholeheartedly support his vision for The Bridge.
If he has impacted even a fraction of the young people he will go on to work with in the way he has impacted my son, then many lives will be changed for the better.
Thank you, Tshiami, for being amazing.”
CALLUM, MENTEE
Meeting and being mentored by Tshiami has quite honestly changed my life.
It’s been about three years since me and T met, and he’s been mentoring me for most of that time. We met first in Church, where, quite funnily, I approached him for prayer specifically because I thought he looked cool. Our relationship built from there and, three years on, here we are.
To be honest, I’m not sure there’s a human that I feel safer with, or more comfortable in myself with, than Tshiami. He’s walked with me through faith struggles, mental health battles, heartbreaks and just the regular, day-to-day ups and downs of life. Reassuring me, holding space for me, and advising me on what to do, and how to walk through it. He really is a gift from God.
See, the thing that makes Tshiami different to most people is his ability to hold space for you, with no judgement, shock, or premature opinion. He pauses and he listens; he makes you feel safe. He gets in your hula hoop with you, as he likes to say. Even if (when) there are things going on in his own life, Tshiami has this ability to step out of his own hula hoop and into yours - even if it’s only slightly, he helps the spinning to stop.
I earnestly pray that everybody would have someone like T in their life. Someone they know they can rely on, know is in their corner, and know that if they need help breathing, even just a little bit, they can call.
“I first met Tshiami when he came into my school as part of a mentoring programme, and he quickly became someone I felt comfortable talking to and could rely on for support, no matter what I needed help with.
Even though I wasn’t one of his one-to-one sessions, he always made time for me, whether that was during break, lunch, or alongside his other mentoring groups, which I greatly appreciated.
School can sometimes be a place where people simply don’t have the time to offer extra support due to busy schedules; however…
Tshiami was different.
Tshiami genuinely listened, encouraged me, and created a space where I felt understood and valued, which is not something many young people are fortunate enough to experience, despite it being something we all need.
Since meeting him, I’ve noticed a real difference in myself. I’ve become more open-minded, more appreciative, and more understanding, and I no longer feel the need to carry every worry so heavily because of the support and guidance Tshiami has given me. He also believed in me and my potential at times when I struggled to see it myself.
I honestly see him as an older brother figure. His guidance, kindness, and dedication have had a lasting impact on me, and I know many other young people will benefit from having someone like him in their corner.
I couldn’t recommend him highly enough as a mentor. He goes above and beyond, not because he has to, but because he truly cares about helping young people grow, gain confidence, and succeed.”