Our empowering mentoring programme matches mentors with mentees, and supports them in developing a mutually beneficial partnership.
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push in the right direction.” John Crosby, American Politician
Our highly regarded mentoring programme offers an opportunity to connect one-on-one with a fellow WIBF member. Mentees are matched to more senior mentors within WIBF and can seek career guidance, advice and support. The programme lasts about six months and offers benefits to both the mentees and mentors.
Supported by WIBF, mentoring partnerships typically meet regularly at a time that suits them and to work on individual goals and how to reach them. End of programme feedback shows the high value of the mentoring programme.
For more information contact operations@wibf.org.uk
How can you benefit from becoming a mentor?
• Direct exposure to the obstacles encountered by members in different businesses
• Exposure to diverse perspectives, styles, personalities, and cultural backgrounds
• Opportunity to leave a legacy of knowledge and experience
• Renewed energy around personal learning opportunities and role
What can a mentor help you with?
• Identifying your own priorities and options
• Generating ideas about your future career direction
• Working out skills and learning gaps that need to be bridged
• Developing a career plan and a strategy of how to achieve it
• Challenge you to achieve your goals and help you to assess your progress against them
• Deal with a specific situation that is happening at your work at that given time
• Advice on how to promote yourself within your organisation to get yourself noticed and make the step up
• Provide help with how to achieve a work-life balance and communicate this effectively to your boss
• Provide advice on challenging situations
• Developing confidence
Latest Mentoring News
Scotland Mentoring programme
Contact- vicky.reid@wibf.org.uk.
Launch date - Monday 23rd March 2020
During this challenging time of social distancing, workplace disruption and the unfortunate cancellation/postponement of many of our events, it is more important than ever to remain focused on personal development, resilience and individual support. We are therefore delighted to announce the launch of the WIBF Scotland Mentoring programme.
Registration is now open for both Mentors and Mentees. You do need to be a registered WIBF individual member to participate as a mentee however we welcome applications for mentors who are not members. If you are interested in being both a mentor and a mentee, that’s great - please feel free to complete both registration forms. Registrations will be open until close of business Friday 15th May. Here are the registrations links:
Once closed we will reach out to you directly with your mentee / mentor matches before the end of June, at which point we will also explain the process for initial meetings considering any guidance being given at that time. We will shortly thereafter hold a Mentoring webinar for those wishing to learn about best practices and how to get the most out of the experience. If you have any questions about the registration process or the programme itself, please get in touch with Vicky Zuiderent on vicky.reid@wibf.org.uk.
We’ve had great feedback from previous participants in other branches and expect this year to be very popular; so don’t hesitate to register if this is an opportunity you would like to take.
Manchester Mentoring Programme
We’re excited to announce that we are ready to launch, for the first time, our new WIBF Manchester Mentoring programme!
Registration is now open for both Mentors and Mentees.
We’ve had great feedback from previous participants in other branches and expect this year to be very popular; so don’t hesitate to register if this is an opportunity you would like to take up.
You do need to be a registered WIBF individual member to participate as a mentee however we welcome applications for mentors who are not members.
If you are interested in being both a mentor and a mentee, that’s great - please feel free to complete both registration forms. Registrations will be open until close of business Friday 1st May.
Once closed we will reach out to you directly with your mentee / mentor matches by the end of May. We will then shortly after hold a Mentoring webinar for those that wish to learn about best practices and how to get the most out of the experience. If you have any questions about the registration process or the programme itself, please do get in touch with Nicola.higgins@wibf.org.uk.
Testimonials
“It is super to have a sounding board. Having a mentor outside of my immediate company is also particularly useful, providing additional perspective” - WIBF mentee, 2015
“It is a great way to meet new people out with your own organisation who you would not usually be able to ask for advice under ordinary circumstances…I feel very privileged to have been part of the 2015 Mentoring programme – thank you!”
“I gained confidence to speak up about what I really wanted from my future and I created an action plan along with my mentor which helped me to achieve the promotion that I’d been too scared to put my hand up for.”
“Having the guidance, encouragement and support of a trusted and experienced mentor from outside of your organisation can provide you with a broad range of personal and professional benefits, which can ultimately lead to improved performance and helping you to achieve your goals.”
“…the support given up front to both mentors and mentees was very useful, and I was definitely paired up with someone I felt I could help.”
