Lino's Story

"When I started this journey, the first question I asked myself was: 'Why am I joining?' A valid question. With no personal connection to Crisis or experience of homelessness, I was simply drawn in by the powerful message of the partnership with Lloyds Banking Group. It was enough to spark my curiosity, push me out of my comfort zone, and make me want to learn more."

"Step One was joining the Crisis Grants panel. While this experience was positive, it still felt like something was missing—a personal, direct connection."

"Step Two: Signing up as a mentor. Mentoring wasn’t new to me; I’d done it both inside and outside of work. I felt this was an area where I could genuinely contribute and make an impact. What I didn’t anticipate was just how much I would gain in return."

"Step Three: Preparing for the role. After an interview with the Crisis Team, I was thrilled to be accepted into the programme. Training soon followed, and before long, I was matched with my mentee. I must give a special shout out to Emma and Mike, whose support and guidance were invaluable throughout. The best way I can describe it is that it didn't feel like work—all the content and preparation simply felt essential learning."

"Step Four: Meeting the mentee. Our initial meeting set everything in motion. We agreed on action plans, outlined both individual and shared goals, and began. At this stage, I wasn’t sure how much value I could bring or how long my support would even be needed—maybe a few months? Our action plans focused on three goals: two business-oriented objectives to develop my mentee’s catering business, both short and long term. The third was simpler but deeply poignant: 'Can you make sure I’m okay?' "

"Step Five: The journey unfolds. A few months in, and I was amazed. My role centred on listening, empathising, and sharing opinions—but I quickly realised I wasn’t the expert here. The mentee was. And that’s exactly how it should be. While I’ve never run my own business or been self-employed, I could step into other roles: customer, counsellor, advisor, and sometimes even a friend— or all at once."

"Step Six: Reflecting on the experience. It has been an absolute privilege to walk this journey alongside someone else, to see the world through the eyes of a Crisis member, and to gain a deeper understanding of their challenges, choices, and drive. Witnessing their journey has been profoundly inspiring. I’ve seen my mentee start their catering business from their one bed flat,  cooking at their church hall for the local community, fulfil supermarket batch orders, cater for large conferences, and even represent Crisis in meetings with Charlie Nunn regarding sustainable rental living. Today, they are ready to take the next big step toward their ultimate goal: securing a commercial space of their own, with the first viewing booked and lots fingers crossed."

"As I reflect, I’m filled with pride and gratitude—to Crisis for creating this opportunity, and to my mentee for trusting me to be part of their incredible story. If you’ve ever considered mentoring, I can’t recommend the program enough. It’s not just about giving back—it’s about being part of something transformative, for them and for you. So, why not give it a go?"