Mentoring is one person sharing their knowledge, skills and experience to assist others to progress in their careers. Mentors are prepared to offer help as the need arises - within agreed bounds. Mentoring is more than ‘giving advice’, or sharing what your experience was in a particular area or situation.
It's about motivating and empowering the other person to identify their own issues and goals, and helping them to find ways of resolving or reaching them.
There will be two Pathways on the scheme: Pathway A and Pathway B.
Pathway A: Mentoring Circles
A mentoring circle involves a group of people learning, challenging and supporting each other whilst being led by a senior member of staff or a lead mentor.
Mentees will remain with the same circle which will be led by the same two mentors (where possible), throughout the scheme. This will support building a relationship and trust within the group so members feel comfortable to share experiences and issues. This will also allow members to support each other throughout the duration of the scheme.
Pathway B: 1-1 Mentoring
Mentoring can provide individuals with role models and may be a means of providing information about career and training opportunities (internal and external).
It can widen support networks, provide motivation and can improve confidence. With developmental mentoring, a mentor will help you to develop your strengths and potential; and identify your changing needs, values, aspirations; and what's most important to you in relation to being a BAME member of staff.
The scheme will include:
- Training for mentors on both 1-1 mentoring and facilitating mentoring circles (if applicable)
- An official launch event for a chance to network and meet other mentees and mentors on the scheme
- A meeting between mentee(s) and mentor every 4-6 weeks for an hour
- A celebratory, reflective social event towards the end of the mentoring relationship