My name is Enrique Kattou, and I am a psychology graduate from Cyprus. My journey with Bridges by Mentors began in the summer of 2025, when I joined the project through a volunteering opportunity at Hope for Children. At first, I viewed it as a chance to contribute, meet people from different backgrounds and gain practical experience beyond the classroom. However, it soon became a much more personal and meaningful journey.
Through Bridges by Mentors, I later continued my involvement as part of my university practicum, completing placements at Hope for Children and the Social Element Residency in Kiti. Moving from volunteering into practicum allowed me to recognise my own development more clearly. In the beginning, I often felt uncertain about what to expect and whether I would respond appropriately to different personalities, needs and challenging situations. With time, that uncertainty gradually became confidence.
My experience at Hope for Children taught me that mentoring is not about having all the answers. It is about being present, listening carefully and creating a safe space where another person feels respected and supported. Working with young people from different backgrounds also helped me become more patient, flexible and aware of the importance of adapting my communication to each individual.
At the Social Element Residency, I had the opportunity to work with autistic adults. This placement strengthened my understanding that every person communicates, participates and connects differently. I became more attentive to emotions, behaviour and non-verbal cues, while learning to approach each person according to their individual interests and needs.
One moment that has stayed with me happened during a bowling activity. One resident initially appeared disconnected from the group and did not want to participate. After approaching him, I discovered that he had a strong interest in supercars. I used this interest to make the activity more meaningful by encouraging him to imagine changing gears as he rolled the bowling ball. Slowly, he became engaged and joined the activity.
Although it may seem like a small moment, it showed me how powerful an individualised approach can be. Sometimes, connection begins when someone feels that their interests, personality and way of communicating have genuinely been noticed.
Throughout this journey, I became more confident in communicating, more comfortable taking initiative and more aware of my own emotional reactions. Working alongside peers, mentors and supervisors also taught me the importance of teamwork, honest communication and being open to guidance.
Most importantly, Bridges by Mentors reminded me that people should never be reduced to a diagnosis, a difficulty, or a background. Everyone has a story, a personality and a need to feel included. For me, Bridges by Mentors became exactly what its name represents: a bridge between people, experiences and different ways of seeing the world