Mentoring matters - practice notes from the field
Mentoring still matters whilst we’re in the throes of a second pandemic wave and we need support and help as we emerge as well.
Mentoring has undergone something of a revivial in recent years. Or perhaps it has just come into its own. I have noticed through my own work the variety of mentoring projects and programmes organisations have set up and the value it brings to mentees.
I have worked in some national initiatives such as the Get Mentoring programme supported, partnered and delivered by The IOEE, UK Finance and BEIS, and Meet-a-Mentor events around the UK. I’ve also worked with social housing groups, most noticeably to develop internal capacity to support apprentices. Most recently I delivered induction webinars for volunteer mentors for micro business owners and SMEs needing some rapid Covid recovery support - an accelerated mentoring response programme.
Mentoring very much matters in many settings, as you can see.
All of these projects have some key things in common that support good practice
All mentors are volunteers and in general give one hour of their time once a month
All mentors are trained in mentoring skills and behaviours, and given the skills and tools they need to undertake the role
Mentors and mentees are inducted and expectations are managed
There is a code of ethics and conduct for mentors
There is a managed and well organised matching system in place run by a ‘mentor manager’
Mentors have on-going support and learning over the lifetime of the mentoring relationship, which can be for up to 12 months
If you are thinking of setting up an internal mentoring scheme, then I recommned you bear these practice points in mind. And get in touch if you’d like to talk your own plan for a mentoring scheme through.
Mentoring matters to individuals too
Whilst my coaching practice is largely coaching(!) I do also from time to time mentor. Mentees on the whole are in management or senior leadership positions in the VCSE sector and the public sector. I firmly believe we both always get benefit from it and I always learn something.
National Mentoring Day 2020
National Mentoring Day takes place on 27th October. It’s an opportunity to recognise and promote the value of mentoring, perhaps thank a mentor or generally publicise it merits and benefits.
There are free downloadable resources here to use in your promotion.