One of the significant differences between mentoring and counselling is the relationship that is established. A mentoring relationship is informal, and the duration is typically longer term. A counselling relationship is formal, sessions are typically in a counsellor’s office, and the duration is usually not as long term.

Another difference is the value of the advice provided. A mentor’s advice is well received on a personal and holistic level because of personal familiarity and experience. A counsellor’s input is respected due to training and how their expertise has helped others.

A. Research proves that mentoring is greatly useful in young adult lives. Studies have shown it helps individuals improve both social and academic prospects. Mentoring allows meaningful relationships to be formed, having a real impression on the mentee. It allows them to develop leadership, management, communication, and creative skills. Mentoring for young adults also further empowers them to give back to their community.

o Students with a mentor are 52% less likely to skip a day of school. (Source)

o 37% of students with a mentor are less likely to skip a class. (Source)

o 55% of young adults who have a mentor but face an opportunity gap are more likely to get a higher education than peers who did not possess a mentor. (Source)

o 78% of young adults with a mentor are more likely to volunteer regularly. (Source)

o 90% of young adults with a mentor are interested in becoming one in the future. (Source)

o 59% of teens with a mentor get better grades than their peers. (Source)

o 27% of young adults with a mentor are less likely to use alcohol. (Source)

Not really, however evidence suggests that mentoring will have an impact from the start. The sooner they start, the more likely a person is to be open about communicating, sharing their concerns and or identifying a positive direction and purpose to their lives.

Our mentors are thoroughly vetted young people who are typically in their early 20s. All have DBS checks, safeguard training and all are really keen to help young people manage the challenges they might be facing. The majority will have had “difficulties” or “frustrations” as they have been going through their teens and many will be in year two or three of university.

As with many types of tutoring the process will be similar. We will discuss with you as the parent/guardian, why you think your child would like to have a mentor and how we might be able to help. We would also wish to include your child in the discussion and hear what they have to say.

When we have sufficient information, we will find a mentor who’s background, experiences and personality is best aligned to your child.

As mentioned in the previous answer, we will discuss with you the reasons why your child would benefit from having a mentor. This conversation is designed to help us find the best mentor for your child in line with their personality and needs, and to a degree yours. All throughout this process you will have a say, however you will not directly choose the mentor.

As with tutoring, mentoring is much more effective if a relationship is allowed to develop. We therefore would encourage both parties to work together for as long as is required.

We will work very hard at the outset to ensure that we select the best Mentor for your child in line with their personality, needs and objectives. However, if the match does not work, we will find a replacement at no extra cost. Having the right fit is very important and will have a massive impact on the effectiveness of the mentoring.

We recommend that each session is 30 to 45 minutes, however if a longer or additional session is required, then this can easily be arranged. We would not advise more that an hour. More regular short sessions would be better than infrequent longer sessions.

Due to our safeguarding policies, all mentoring will take place online. If you should hear from your child of any proposed face to face meetings, please advise us immediately.

Please refer to our comprehensive safeguarding policy documents. If you feel anything has not been covered off, please contact us.

Please note our mentors will not get paid if a session is cancelled. So as a matter of courtesy to the Mentor, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required should you or your child wish to cancel a mentoring session. Obviously there maybe exceptional circumstances, but for anything less than 24 hours, the session would be chargeable.

As with counselling and therapy, the intention of the mentoring session is to provide a “safe” and confidential space for the Mentee to air whatever they choose to raise. Therefore, unless there is something that the Mentor is concerned about, the content of sessions will be kept between the Mentee and the Mentor.

Until we have spoken to you and your child, it is difficult to gauge and due to the nature of what may develop. Ultimately it is down to you and your child to continue as long as your child is still benefitting from the sessions and support.

A. As mentoring is most effective over a longer period of time, the sessions are paid for on a monthly subscription basis. Although a minimum of 30 minutes per week may be enough, there is the opportunity to increase this. The monthly payments will be taken by Direct Debit payable in advance of any sessions taken. Continuity and regularity is key with mentoring and owing to the flexibility that our online model offers sessions are encouraged to take place weekly and from anywhere in the world. Your child, and you, will be reminded to engage with their mentor and subscriptions can be paused or cancelled with 2 week notice. Any unused minutes do not unfortunately roll over unless in exceptional circumstances. Fear not, we will remind you by email if you are not using sessions!

Our directory of useful contacts and resources should help you with any challenges or questions you may have. We will also be running webinars and confidential Q&A sessions with experts. We will keep you posted as these elements of our service expand.