What do I do if I have a concern about a mentee’s safety or wellbeing, or my mentee makes a disclosure? Expand We have a comprehensive section on safeguarding in our online training. For more information or support with safeguarding while you are volunteering on a programme, please contact your Regional Programme Lead.
Do mentors get paid or receive expenses? Expand We don’t want expenses to be a barrier for anyone becoming a mentor. Apart from local travel for in-person sessions or basic costs for connecting online, we do not expect you to incur expenses.
How do I apply? Expand You can view upcoming programme cycles and submit your application with us via The Girls Network webpage. Read more about our application process here.
How much choice do I have about and how/where, I mentor? Expand Mentors are encouraged to review The Girls' Network regions at the application stage. The location of in-person mentoring and the timings of sessions are usually fixed per the school or college you are matched with. Mentor sessions typically take place at the end of the school day, during the working week. If you are mentoring online, please note that the mentee you are paired with could be located anywhere in England.
How do you match mentees and mentors? Expand Matches are typically based on shared interests, geographical location, and availability of mentor and mentee places per programme. We collect information from both mentees and mentors through application forms and prioritise based on shared interests. Our Regional Programme Leads are brilliant at making matches. While this is not an exact science, we do our best to ensure you and your mentee feel comfortable and equipped to go on the mentoring journey together.
How are young people selected to receive mentoring? Expand The Girls' Network has clear eligibility requirements for mentees. Mentees, as well as their parents or carers, must provide written consent to engage in our programmes. It is important that mentees are given the choice to receive mentoring and that engagement is not forced. In addition, we encourage schools to refer girls to our mentoring programmes if they: Are eligible for free school meals (or close to this threshold, including students receiving a bursary) Are on a social care plan Are in care or a care leaver Are a young carer Are a young parent Are the first generation in their family likely to attend higher education Are a young refugee or asylum seeker Are living in poverty Are living in insecure housing and/or temporary accommodation Are under 18 and living independently Come from a diverse background, including Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic communities Come from a marginalised community (for example, living in poverty or insecure housing) Are academically high achieving but lack access to extra-curricular opportunities or networks to compete with more advantaged peers Lack access to positive female role models or supportive communities Lack confidence or a sense of self-worth Are underachieving and in need of external motivation and support to develop the skills needed to succeed Are unlikely to engage in a voluntary programme that takes place outside school or college settings. All schools using The Girls' Network mentoring programmes will have already engaged in a set of workshops designed to inspire and empower girls with these characteristics.
How do you work with schools and colleges? Expand Schools and colleges often approach us or select programmes they would like to receive from The Girls' Network. We are particularly interested in working with schools and colleges that are high up on the Index of Multiple Deprivation, where girls are likely to experience intersectional barriers to access around education and life chances.
Why do young people need volunteer mentors? Expand Life for young people today, particularly for girls, can be incredibly challenging. Declining mental health, low self-esteem, anxiety, and loneliness are just some of the issues the young people we support are struggling with. Yet, when you begin your journey with your mentee, all you'll know are the things that truly matter: their interests and the hopes they hold for the time they'll spend with you. You'll be a positive role model in their lives, making a difference one step at a time.
What is not a mentor's job? Expand Mentoring is not counselling, therapy, or formal teaching. The golden rule is to guide rather than solve problems for your mentee. The most crucial skills for a mentor are active listening and remaining mentee-led.
What will I be doing during the mentoring sessions? Expand You will act as a positive role model, supporting your mentee to build confidence, develop career readiness, and inspire ambition. You will also act as a sounding board, helping your mentee explore choices, set personal goals, and work through challenges. Mentors are supported by The Girls' Network Regional Programme Leads, who are always on hand during sessions.
Who do I turn to for support? Expand Every programme has a designated Regional Programme Lead. If you ever need advice or a sounding board, they are there to mediate and support you in the role.
How long does volunteer mentor training take? Expand Our online training takes about 2 and a half hours. Mentor training is crucial as it helps you develop essential mentoring skills that will make you an effective mentor.
Can I meet or communicate with my mentee outside of our mentoring sessions? Expand No. Mentoring sessions are limited to in-school or in-college time only. Mentors and mentees do not exchange personal details or communicate outside of sessions, including via social media platforms.
Where can I meet my mentee? Expand All mentoring sessions are arranged and supervised by our Regional Programme Leads. In-person mentoring sessions take place in a single space, on site at a school or college, alongside a number of other mentor-mentee matches. If you are mentoring online, mentors will be given a link to join the virtual meeting and will meet with their mentee in a breakout room organised by their Regional Programme Lead.
Are the days and times of mentoring sessions fixed, or is there some flexibility about when meetings happen? Expand The Girls' Network supports schools and colleges on site, which means mentoring sessions are typically fixed to specific dates where education providers can accommodate the delivery of our programmes. The way in which mentoring happens (face-to-face or occasionally online) will be determined by the school or college to fit in with their timetables, usually just after the end of the school day.
What is the time commitment and where can I mentor? Expand Our mentoring programmes run in six-month cycles, primarily across the following regions: North East, North West, London, and the South Coast. Please note that the schools and colleges we work with change from time to time and may vary across each mentoring cycle. Mentors are expected to attend a set monthly in-person sessions at a school or further education provider in one of our programme regions. Each session typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes, excluding travel time. Sessions usually take place just after the end of the school day, during the working week.
I have a DBS check, do I need another one? Expand If you are on the update service, we will need to confirm this so that your DBS check is up to date and you hold an enhanced check specifically for this volunteer role.
Are background checks required? Expand Yes. Since mentors work with children and young people, you will be invited to Your Match Chat, a short conversation to explore why you would like to become a mentor. Following this, we will complete an enhanced DBS (police) check, which is covered by The Girls' Network. We will also collect two references for you, typically one professional and one personal. Read more about our application process here.
Do I need prior mentoring experience? Expand No formal mentoring experience is needed. However, volunteers must possess a willingness and passion for supporting young people, a commitment to developing active listening and a non-judgmental attitude, and the ability to travel to allocated education settings.
What are the eligibility requirements to become a mentor? Expand To volunteer as a mentor, we recommend being at least 25 years old and having the right to work or volunteer in the UK. However, if you are over 18 and feel you have relevant experience and a strong interest in becoming a volunteer mentor, you are still welcome to apply. You can be a mentor if you are employed, retired, self employed or not currently working, we just ask that you have at least 3 years worth of experience from the world of work - whatever that looks like for you. You may not realise it, but you already have a lot to contribute, even if you have not volunteered before. Becoming a volunteer mentor simply requires a friendly attitude and a little bit of time. It’s also a fantastic way to gain skills and experience in an area that interests you!
How long do mentoring relationships usually last? Expand The Girls' Network mentoring cycles last six months, where volunteer mentors meet with their mentees once per month.