‘I Have Been There Too’: motivations and expectations of young people with previous experience of being in a NEET situation becoming peer mentors- a qualitative study

This study explores how young people with previous experience of being in a NEET situation describe their motivation and expectations for serving as mentors for peers who are not in education, employment, or training. Using a qualitative, inductive design, five mentors aged 18–24 participated in individual in-depth interviews before beginning mentor training. Thematic analysis identified two overarching themes: Inspiring meaning for others and oneself and Providing support fosters resilience and growth. Mentors expressed a strong desire to use their experiences to support others through empathy, acceptance, and relatable guidance. They emphasised the importance of offering the support they had once needed. At the same time, they anticipated challenges related to emotional strain, trauma, and maintaining boundaries, highlighting the need for trust, teamwork, and supervision. The findings suggest that peer mentoring may benefit both mentors and young people in a NEET situation when supported by structured collaborative frameworks.