I was very, very fortunate when I decided to try bridge. Not having much of a card background (only some rummy with dad and brother and sister when I was small -had a hard time hanging on to 13 cards in my tiny hands), I went into it with no idea of what to expect. It was a real eye-opener, the complexities of the game. I studied hard however, and took to it well. But no one in my class would join the bridge club and play in the games there. So I went in all by myself (story of my life). This lady who was directing the games and was responsible for finding partners for new people ended up playing with me. Somehow, she saw something in me while I was still a raw rookie and took to mentoring me and being a regular partner. Even when she brought me into the open games which she was criticized for doing when I was so new, she stood up for me and our results spoke volumes and silenced the critics. She taught me beyond the books. About being a good partner and table manners (which a lot of people should be observing). I owe my continued interest in bridge and a lot of my early successes to her mentoring. We never got to play in tournaments as she was retired from them by then, but I enjoy every chance I get to play with her in the club. I just hope I can be as sharp as her when I get to her age. Bridge is wonderful for keeping you mentally sharp. A lot of very elderly people play it right up until they are too infirm to come or have lost their vision.
If someone ever takes interest in helping you with a new interest or skill, absolutely take them up on it. A mentor is worth their weight in gold!