A mentor has life skills that they are willing to share for mutual benefit. The mentor provides a positive influence and role model and the student gains from sharing the mentor’s experience.

First Partnership recruits, trains and supports volunteer mentors and co-ordinates the programme, helping to ensure continuity and success.

Face-to-Face Mentoring

This mentoring programme seeks to encourage and support young people to achieve negotiated targets with the help of volunteers. Through regular one to one meetings, students and mentors build a relationship based on impartiality, trust and respect, which leads to students gaining increased self-esteem, academic performance and awareness of the world of work.

E-Mentoring

E-Mentoring uses the internet for communication via a secure email system. Students are matched to business mentors who can offer a source of advice and support. This form of mentoring can provide a valuable source of direct information to support subject-specific studies and Work Related Learning in general. It is particularly effective in supporting research for coursework and future aspirations. This process is protected through e-mentoring Pro Ltd, which is supported by CRB checks.

Mentoring Workshop

This is a one-off project which allows pupils to work with a range of business professionals for a morning or afternoon session. (see case study below)