About
Mentors
The role of a mentor
The role of a mentor at a LimbPower event is to INSPIRE & LEAD! You need to take an active interest in each participant's experience of the event. Using a combination of your own life experience and past event experience, as well as your knowledge of the participant to enhance their experience of the event.
How to become a LimbPower mentor
LimbPower are always looking for new mentors to join our incredible team of volunteers. Our mentors use their own experience from LimbPower's participation events to help new participants engage and get the most out of the event and the individual activities. To be considered for a mentoring role you need to:
- Have been an amputee for at least two years and to have completed your rehabilitation.
- You must have attended at least two of our participant events as a participant.
- You must have the right temperament to act as a role model in supporting vulnerable adults and children.
- You must be able to commit to volunteering at two events a year for a number of years.
It costs LimbPower money to recruit mentors, including the cost of a DBS check so it is vital that you are committed to supporting the charity for a number of years for LimbPower to invest in training you to become a mentor.
Please email info@limbpower.com to request an application to find out more about mentoring at a LimbPower event.
Lead Mentor - Gemma Trotter
At the age of 14, Gemma was in a devastating road traffic accident in Belgium. She decided to have an above-knee amputation at the age of 16. Making the decision was extremely tough. Post amputation she developed an interest in: cars, car racing and fitness.
When Gemma first started going to the gym she was really down. She had lost my leg but had started walking again, and then she stopped walking and put on a load of weight and she was really insecure. Gemma joined the gym for weight loss and found that taking part and being fit really picked her up and she haven't looked back.
"In 2010 I qualified as a fitness instructor. Keeping as fit and healthy as I can has really helped my recovery. I currently teach a tough Les Mills indoor cycling calls. One of the classes I teaches is a fast-paced indoor cycling session called RPM that burns 675 calories in 45 minutes. I was inspired to teach because I wanted to inspire other amputees to get involved in group fitness as I'd seen the benefits and confidence it had given me."
Gemma has recently joined the xxx racing team.
"I embrace being an amputee. Once I had made the decision to have my leg cut off, there was no going back. If you don't embrace the hand you've been dealt, then you will always struggle to enjoy life."
"Sport changed my life and I cannot imagine my life without it. It keeps me focused and mentally strong to cope with the stresses of everyday life. I want every amputee to know the benefits of physical activity and sport."
.Andy Lewis
Andy J Lewis is a through knee amputee who lost his leg in December 2005. Andy’s determination saw him qualify as a pilot through the Disabled Flying Scholarship in 2007. In 2009 Andy set his heart on running again, It was during this time that his path crossed with LimbPower.
Andy joined LimbPower at the 2013 LimbPower Games where he was coached by Lincoln Asquith and Hayleigh Ginn and met Artic One. Andy is now the Elite Champion for Paraduathlon and is set to join the team for Rio in 2016. Andy has been a great advocate at LimbPower attending our Junior Events to support and encourage children to take part in sport.
Jack Eyres
Jack was born with the rare condition Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency, which prevented his right leg from growing properly. At the age of 16 he made the decision to have his leg amputated. Anything that involved sitting down with two legs he couldn't do, he knew he wanted to have his leg amputated.
"I am a personal trainer working in Bournemouth. I train both able-bodied and disabled people."
"Since appearing in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics, I have featured in a range of advertisements and I was recently the face of the disability charity, Scope. Jack was the first amputee model to take part in New York Fashion Week in 2015."
"It all feels so surreal", said Mr Eyers. "I can't believe this is actually happening. To be the first male amputee model on a New York Fashion Week runway feels amazing- it feels like such a big deal."
"I believe designers should use models more reflective of the population, including disabled models. "If I'd seen more disabled models when I was growing up, maybe I would have felt more confident about myself... There's a lot of people out there with physical disabilities that need to be inspired."
"At primary school I was really into sports but it was hard to join in, and I would get bullied."
"I hope that through my work with LimbPower I can get more amputees physically active; using the gym and taking part in sport and feeling positive about their bodies."
Gary Stephenson
Gary became an amputee in 2006 and has been volunteering for since 2009? He is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster, BSAC Advanced Diver and Instructor. He also enjoys handcycling and archery. Gary works in the Digital TV industry and also as a trauma casualty for the military and emergency services.
Linda Chen
Linda live in Worcester and is married with two grown up daughters, works part time as a nurse and has a right below knee amputation.
Linda volunteers for limbpower because it is such a worthwhile charity. "As an amputee I have huge empathy for the impact limb loss can cause in all areas of your life."
"I love the limbpower games! a safe place to try a multitude of sports, to gain confidence and above all have a weekend spent laughing."
