Actress and activist, Lauren McCroiste, launches mentoring programme

Have you recently found out that you are dyslexic? Are you worried about how this will affect your life, future learning and goals?

Am I still going to be able to be an actress?

When I first found out I was dyslexic I panicked. I feared that my life and learning would change dramatically, that it would seize up and shatter into pieces. If I couldn’t learn this way, how could I learn? How would I pass my exams? How should I revise? How could I revise?! Could I still read? Am I still going to be able to be an actress? What job can I do if I’m Dyslexic? What happens if I want to write something and no one can read it?

All these questions raced through my head, frazzling my brain like a fried egg on tarmac in the heat of summer.

But I was lucky, I had a great support teacher who held my hand all the way through. As I was doing my final year exams after my diagnosis, she went through multiple different styles of learning with me, sharing coloured glasses to mnemonics to kinesthetic based activities. This ‘trial and error’ allowed me to find a type of learning which worked best for me. I also got someone to guide me through the whole process and experience of finding out I was Dyslexic at such an important time of my schooling life.

Proud dyslexic

I am Lauren McCrostie, an actress, writer and sustainability activist and PROUD dyslexic. I am in the process of trialling a mentoring scheme which I would love to offer any fellow dyslexics. My experience was a lucky one as I said, many do not have the support network I was given and I would love to offer that to others. Think of me as a hybrid between an older sister, counsellor and tutor!

Through personal one-to-one sessions, my aim is to help you identify key areas of difficulty within the dyslexia domain. Maybe you’re anxious about exams and need some guidance around what type of studying you should approach. Perhaps you struggle to remember words and key points for important presentations. Or maybe you just want someone to talk to who understands. Whatever it may be, I am here and happy to help!

Dismantling perceptions

The typical language surrounding dyslexia is shameful and of lack. People with dyslexia are dismissed and pronounced as ‘sufferers’ and sometimes with a ‘disease'. I want to help banish and dismantle this perception as it is full of inaccuracies and only dismantles a dyslexics’ self-esteem.

Recognising where my dyslexia presents itself in my life and work and learning how to work with and not against it was phenomenally empowering. Knowing this, I would love to help others, recently or long-term diagnosed, find this strength and confidence.

As I test the format and style of the sessions, I am offering a limited number of FREE 20-minute sessions. If you are interested in finding out more and booking you can do so here: https://www.laurenmccrostie.co.uk/mentoring.

I look forward to hearing back from you soon!