Mentoring

Our core activity. Here we explain what mentoring is and what it means to be a mentor and a mentee.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a process in which one experienced, knowledgeable and trained person supports the development of another person. In other words, mentoring is where one individual uses his/her experience, knowledge, training and skills to help another person to achieve set goals.

During the mentoring of a person to achieve an employment or education goal, the mentor helps the mentee to understand the employment and education systems in the UK; in relation to those two fields, supports the skills required for job searching, CV writing, application building, interview and presentation; raises awareness of cultural diversity, work place ethics such as confidentiality and boundaries, and keeps the service user motivated by boosting his/her confidence and self esteem.

Becoming a mentor

Any person from any community who has the knowledge and skills to help someone in the fields of employment and education, can be a mentor. A mentor’s commitment is to agree to one day's mentor training and to support their assigned mentee for 2 to 3 hours per week not exceeding 6 months. The required support and supervision is provided to mentors by LINKnet staff.

Everyone can be a mentor at LINKnet. We all have expertise in one field or another and may be able to help a minority ethnic (ME) person who does not have that expertise. The desire and commitment to help develop another persons' life is the primary requirement to become a mentor with LINKnet.

Becoming a mentor with LINKnet benefits you in multiple ways, one of which is the great personal satisfaction you gain by developing and helping to improve the quality of life of another person. Your contribution does not end with the development of one person. It has a ripple effect which results in the development of many others.

Other Benefits to Mentors

Sharpen your current knowledge
Gain new knowledge
Exposure to different cultures and environments
Improve employability
Recognition by individuals and institutions
New contacts and wider networking
See opportunities from within, private, public and voluntary sector organisations and/or educational institutions
Increase self-esteem and self-confidence
Review and revalidate what you have achieved so far
Receive a good training that includes, communication, coaching and counselling skills and knowledge on equality legislation, confidentiality policy and cultural sensitivity
Open your eyes to your own true potential

Becoming a mentee

Anyone who belongs to a minority ethnic group can become a mentee and use LINKnet's services to seek jobs or to access further/higher education. Service seekers are expected to receive an induction from LINKnet and commit themselves fully to the task until they achieve their goals.

All our services are offered free of charge.

By becoming a mentee with LINKnet you will receive the following benefits:

Valuable support in a desired area of development free of charge
Enhance existing knowledge
Gain new knowledge
Widen contacts and horizons
Gain inside knowledge about various institutes, their policies and opportunities
Gain new skills
Improve employability
Speed up the process of getting jobs or education
Increase self-esteem and self-confidence.