Advantage Mentoring's Talking Tactics is a one-to-one mental health mentoring programme at the LFC Foundation that builds young people's confidence, reduces anxiety, empowering them to realise their aspirations. When Rhianna was referred to the programme through her safeguarding advisor at CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), she wasn't quite sure what to expect…

Having never heard of a programme like this before, she arrived at the LFC Foundation looking for support, guidance and someone to talk to. What she found was a welcoming environment that helped her build confidence, explore her future aspirations and take positive steps towards achieving her goals!

Rhianna's sessions took place at the Anfield Sports and Community Centre, where she met regularly with her Talking Tactics Mentor, Lily. Unlike traditional clinical settings, the familiar and relaxed environment of the Foundation's facilities helped her feel at ease from the start.

"I found it good," said Rhianna. "We did the sessions in different rooms, but I enjoyed the Brian Hall room the most as it had lots of places to sit and was very calm. It was more welcoming because it didn't feel like a medical service, which made me feel more comfortable to open up to my mentor."

Before joining the programme, Rhianna was facing uncertainty about her future. Being home-schooled also meant there were concerns about whether she had enough opportunities to discuss her thoughts and feelings.

"I was unsure about the future and where I would be going," she explained. "I was also being home schooled, which meant my mum was worried I wasn't talking about what was going on in my head."

Through weekly sessions with her Talking Tactics Mentor, Rhianna was given a dedicated space to express herself, discuss her concerns and begin thinking more positively about her future.

"After working with my mentor, I have got some ideas about my next steps."

A key part of the Talking Tactics Programme is using engaging activities to help young people develop trust, confidence and communication skills. For Rhianna, the creative sessions were a particular highlight.

Throughout the programme, she took part in a range of activities including designing CD album covers, custom t-shirts and plant pots. Some sessions also involved walks in local parks, providing opportunities for conversation in a relaxed environment.

These activities helped create natural opportunities for discussion, allowing Rhianna to build a strong relationship with her mentor while developing confidence in sharing her thoughts and feelings.

During her time on the programme, Rhianna set several personal goals and worked closely with her mentor to achieve them.

Rhianna wanted to improve her eating habits. Together with her mentor, she explored healthy eating and created a recipe book featuring nutritious meals she could try at home.

These small but meaningful achievements helped her develop valuable life skills and increased her confidence in pursuing future opportunities.

Central to Rhianna's experience was the relationship she built with her mentor Lily: "She was very chatty and bubbly, so it was easy to get along and talk to her."

Having a trusted adult who listened, encouraged and supported her played an important role in helping Rhianna feel comfortable and engaged throughout the programme.

"It takes your mind off things while also helping you talk about what you're worried about."

Reflecting on her time with the Advantage Talking Tactics Programme, she is clear about the impact it had on her wellbeing. This isn't just about feeling better; it's about giving young people the confidence, tools and support to move towards what they want for their future. For Rhianna, this has meant not only finding someone to talk to, but gaining the confidence, skills and direction to take positive steps towards her ambitions and future goals: "My mentor was able to put me in touch with some of their employability team, who helped explain the process and looked over my CV."

Having completed the Advantage Talking Tactics programme, Rhianna is now feeling more positive about the future. One of her ambitions was to secure a job after turning 16 — and as a natural next step on the back of her Talking Tactics journey, she was introduced to the LFC Foundation's dedicated Employability team, who provided practical support and guidance.

She plans to continue developing her own business and looks to join LFC Foundation's Employability Mentorship Programme to further build on her skills and experience.