This guidance is applicable for any mentoring relationship, but especially ones that mentors and mentees are hoping will last for at least 6-months. All our mentors and mentees matched via the Matched Mentoring Scheme should find this useful.

All mentors and mentees who are matched via the Matched Mentoring scheme will be invited to a workshop before they start any new mentoring relationship. During these online workshops we aim to answer any queries you might have, and particuarly work on your first session (Stages 1-3). 

All alumni network mentors are invited to join our twice yearly skills workshops with a specialist. These workshops are built around the needs of those who are able to join the workshops (and are in addition to the Matched Mentoring scheme workshops). All Alumni Network Mentors (Matched and Online) will receive an invitation close to the date of the workshops and details will be published on our events page. 

Key stages of developing a successful mentoring relationship

Your first session is where mentor and mentee start to (1) get to know one another, (2) set goals, and (3) put together an informal agreement that may include a plan of action (template agreement). If during your first meeting you don’t feel like your mentor/mentee match is the right one (unable to help you meet goals or don’t have the right skills) don’t be afraid to politely say so up front with a clear reason why.

1. Get to know each other

2. Set mentoring goals and expectations

3. Develop a mentoring agreement and action plan

4. Conduct the mentoring sessions

5. Evaluate your relationship

All IDS Alumni Network Mentoring & Advice Programme Mentors are automatically members of the Mentors Group where you can find links to all of our useful resources, articles and details of upcoming skills workshops.

All who are interested in accessing the IDS Alumni Network Mentoring & Advice Programme can find find links to all our useful information on the Mentoring & Advice page.