“Without The Amos Bursary I wouldn’t have had the positive role models in my life such as, Lord Parry Mitchell and Dr Ross Blake. Their support and guidance was fundamental to me seeing my own potential and thinking further than my E5 postcode. I hope to realise this potential soon” |
How mentoring works
Peer and professional mentors are vital to the Amos Bursary. Our students need mentors who they can trust to offer advice, introduce alternatives, challenge, motivate and encourage them to follow their dreams.
The relationship between the peer and professional mentor is a partnership using the strengths of both individuals to assist the student.
You will be required to provide a supportive, non-judgmental relationship in which each student can explore and realise their vision of what they want to achieve in life.
- Mentors are required to complete a DBS check, undergo initial training and will receive ongoing support
- Mentors help raise student aspirations, attainment, self-confidence and their overall performance
- Peer and professional mentors offer advice, introduce alternatives, challenge, motivate and encourage them to follow their dreams
- A peer mentor is the critical friend and maintains regular contact with the student. A professional mentor provides support to the peer mentor and provides opportunities and experiences for the personal growth of the student
- Peer mentors meet students a minimum of once a month. Professional mentors meet a minimum of 3 times a year
Mentor Case Study
Tina Harris
Manager, Prudential Policy Division, Bank of England
I have been mentoring about five years
What mentoring means to me:
I really enjoy mentoring. I see it as adding value to a mentee’s life by sharing knowledge to help achieve goals and build confidence. It is always a two-way process with us learning from each other by sharing experience and perspectives. There is no doubt that becoming a mentor was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. It is rewarding and it has helped me to develop many skills that I use daily as a manager of a team.
How to become a mentor
We Are Looking For People With
- A positive, approachable, non-judgemental and patient attitude towards young people.
- A desire to help career development of young people.
- Good communication skills and a willingness to strengthen listening and facilitation skills.
- A respectful attitude towards people of different educational, economic, cultural and racial backgrounds.
- An ability to handle personal information sensitively.