Joining a mentorship scheme can have equal benefits for both mentors and mentees. While mentees will learn new skills and build their confidence, those teaching them are likely to find the experience incredibly rewarding, and they will probably learn something along the way too. However, when it comes to finding the perfect mentorship programme, it's never going to be a one-size-fits-all situation. That’s why finding a scheme that caters to your specific needs is so important. Ethnicity, sexuality, and gender, among other factors, can present barriers both in our careers and in our everyday life, but the schemes below aim to pair mentees with people who have navigated these hurdles successfully. They focus on diversity and inclusivity to ensure that people from all walks of love have people to look up to.
But mentorship programmes can only exist with the help of volunteers. Becoming a mentor comes with a lot of responsibility, but it is a great feeling knowing that you have built a meaningful relationship with someone who is looking for guidance and support.
So, whether you’re looking to be mentored, or you think you have the skills to become a mentor, here are a list of specialist mentoring schemes in the UK: