What is mentoring
“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is causing great anxiety about what the future holds for the next generation. We need a national effort to recruit and train one million mentors to accelerate life opportunities for young people in some of the most deprived areas in the UK. We must make sure that every young person, regardless of who they are or where they come from, is able to fulfil their potential and play a positive role in their community.
Many of us have benefited at some point in our lives from the encouragement or professional advice of family, friends or colleagues. Their support can help us make life-changing decisions. We want to ensure that all young people in the UK benefit from high-quality mentoring to help them prepare for the world of work. We believe the full potential of One Million Mentors could be transformational in increasing employability skills, unlocking new opportunities and networks, and promoting social mobility and social cohesion.”
Rushanara Ali MP & Alveena Malik Co-founders, One Million Mentors
Become a mentor
Most of our mentors have one thing in common: they’re passionate about investing in young people.
Mentoring is about creating a relationship and sharing experience to help them learn and achieve their potential. As a mentor you can inspire, support and motivate young people, raise their aspirations and encourage them to achieve their career goals.
That doesn’t mean you need specialist knowledge or experience. We will train you. All you really need is one hour a month to talk to a young person, be around and be interested. That’s all. Listening and empathy are the most important skills.
Can you understand the challenges a young person is facing and see things from their point of view? Can you offer advice or even just encouragement? If so, then you have what it takes to be a mentor.
It only takes one mentor, one regular conversation, to change a life. You could be that one.
Who can be a mentor?
Anyone! Whatever your life experience, you can become a mentor. It’s less about skills or qualifications and more about having the right attitude.
If you have five years general working experience or two years post-graduate working experience, and can give one hour, once a month for up to a year to help change a young person’s life, mentoring could be for you.