What is Mentoring?

Introduction

Mentoring can mean different things to different people, and even the internet doesn't always agree on what the “right” dos and don’ts are. That’s okay. No one knows everything, including me. But what I’ve learned, both through formal training and personal experience, is this:

Mentoring is about the mentee, not the mentor.
But that said, both the mentor and mentee deserve respect, honesty, and support in the relationship.

In 2017 and 2018, I completed Level 1 and Level 2 in Mentoring. Although I haven’t yet had formal work experience as a mentor, I hope to change that now that lockdown has eased. My passion is to support people with disabilities, mental health challenges, and those training to work in those areas. In fact, before the pandemic, I worked as a Visiting Lecturer delivering training on learning disability and mental health awareness to future professionals like student nurses.

Mentoring isn’t about being perfect—it’s about helping others move forward. And matching

Mentoring is a supportive relationship where a more experienced person (the mentor) helps someone with less experience (the mentee) to grow, develop, and achieve their goals. It’s about guidance, encouragement, and helping someone believe in themselves.

A mentor might:

• Share their own career or life experiences.
• Offer advice and feedback.
• Support the mentee emotionally.
• Help set goals and explore career or life paths.
• Build the mentee’s confidence and self-awareness.
• Connect them to useful resources or contacts.

Mentoring is important because it gives the mentee the space to build trust in themselves, develop new skills, and learn to make their own choices with confidence.

Types of Mentoring

There are several kinds of mentoring. The most common include:

• One-to-One Mentoring
  A personal, face-to-face relationship between one mentor and one mentee.
• Distance or Virtual Mentoring
  Mentoring that takes place online, by phone, or through other digital platforms. This is useful when face-to-face isn’t possible.
• Group Mentoring
  One mentor working with several mentees at once, often in a workshop or group setting. It’s a great way to share experiences and learn from others.

There may be even more styles depending on the needs of the individuals or organizations involved.

For more on mentoring, visit:

• Guider Blog – Types of Mentoring
• Reed Courses – Mentoring Training
• National Careers Service – Learning Mentor Job Profile
• Optimum Student Support – Specialist Mental Health Mentors

Support Helplines and Websites

If you or someone you know needs help, support is available:

• Stop Hate UK – www.stophateuk.org | 0800 138 1625
• Crimestoppers UK – www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 111
• Learning Disability Hate Crime Helpline – 0800 802 1155
• Mind (Mental Health Support) – www.mind.org.uk | 0300 123 3393 | Email: info@mind.org.uk
• Samaritans – www.samaritans.org | 116 123 (Free call)
• Age UK (Elder Abuse Support) – www.ageuk.org.uk | 0808 808 8141
• Victim Support – www.victimsupport.org.uk | **080

If you or someone you know needs help or support, the following services are available:

 Support Hotlines and Resources

• If you or someone you know needs help or someone to talk to, these national support services are available:

  • Mental Health America
    Website: www.mhanational.org
    Phone: 1-800-969-6642
  • National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    Phone: Dial 988 (24/7 support)
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
    Website: www.nami.org
    HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “HELPLINE” to 62640
  • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)
    Website: www.thetrevorproject.org
    Phone: 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678
  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
    Website: www.rainn.org
    Phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
  • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
    Website: www.childhelp.org
    Phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
  • Elder Care Locator (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services)
    Website: eldercare.acl.gov
    Phone: 1-800-677-1116
  • VictimConnect Resource Center
    Website: www.victimconnect.org
    Phone: 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    Website: www.thehotline.org
    Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788
  • 211 (Essential Community Services)
    Website: www.211.org
    Phone: Call or text 211 to connect to local resources for food, housing, mental health, and more.