What is mentoring?

SUPPORT

DEVELOP

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Bromley Mentoring Initiative

What is mentoring?

A guide for young people www.bromley.gov.uk/mentoring

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a partnership between you and an adult from your local area. You will meet regularly and have the opportunity to talk about ANYTHING that is important to you! This might include school, your life outside school, your future plans or any difficulties you may be having.

Our mentors give up their free time voluntarily because they want to support YOU!

MENTORING Success

Motivation

Coaching

Goal

Support

Direction

A mentor is there to: Meet with you every week or every two weeks for up to an hour (typically meeting at school).

Give you encouragement and develop your confidence.

Listen to you and discuss anything you feel is important.

Discuss possible solutions to any difficulties and help you decide what would be the best thing for you to do.

Give you the benefit of their experiences of work and life to guide you.

Give you a safe space to talk and express yourself.

A mentor is NOT there to: Take the place of your parents or teacher.

Tell you what to do with your life.

www.bromley.gov.uk/mentoring

What do you have to do?

Try your best to attend each meeting.

Good attendance is important for mentoring to be successful. If you can’t attend, then tell your teacher so your mentor can be told.

Be on time.

Your mentor’s time is as valuable as yours.

Keep to any agreements.

During the meetings, you or your mentor may agree certain things that you will try to do before the next meeting. If you make an agreement, please try to keep it. The mentor will do the same.

Be honest with your mentor.

Don’t say things you think they want to hear; tell them how you really feel and think.

Remember, it takes time to feel comfortable with a new person.

You might feel nervous at first, and so might your mentor! So, give it time and don't worry if it takes a couple of meetings before you feel relaxed.

www.bromley.gov.uk/mentoring

Anything you discuss with your mentor will be confidential.

Your mentor will not gossip about you to anyone. However, it is important for you to know that in certain instances, if your mentor is concerned about harm or potential harm to yourself or others, they must discuss these things with the school, or organisations you are involved with, in order to help you. They will not do this without telling you first.

Give your opinion.

Your teacher or the Bromley Mentoring Initiative co-ordinator may ask your opinion about mentoring at some point. Be honest with your feedback as this can help us improve the programme for you and other young people.

Get in touch bromley.gov.uk/mentoring or scan

020 8461 6240 mentoring@bromley.gov.uk

Produced by: Children's Services London Borough of Bromley Bromley Civic Centre, Churchill Court 2 Westmoreland Road Bromley, BR1 1AS December 2024

A product of the Strategy, Performance and Corporate Transformation Division