Skip to main content

The experience you could have

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is spending time one to one regularly with a trusted adult. For children and young people referred to us, a mentor can offer the chance to talk, explore issues and come up with their own ways to cope. But mentoring is also about positive activities following the young person’s interests and goals. It’s about getting out and about, trying new things and connecting with our community.

Who needs mentoring?

The real answer is: everyone! We all need a friendly ear to listen and not judge. But for young people finding school, college or employment a struggle, or those affected by poor mental wellbeing or difficulties at home, a mentor can make all the difference. Mentors can help young people build confidence, self-esteem, skills and aspirations, improve relationships and plan pathways forward.

Green brush stoke circle with small blue circle

What mentoring can bring to you

A special relationship

Build a trusting relationship with your mentor over a year of meeting and doing things together.

A time and space to talk

Mentors aren’t there to judge, or to fix things. They’re there to listen and encourage.

A pathway forward

Our mentors can help young people with practical things like homework and interview skills.

Green brush stoke circle with small blue circle

Can anyone access mentoring?

Most of our support is offered to young people in Bath & NE Somerset (though our professional mentoring service can be available beyond). There are referral criteria for each service. Mentoring is funded by local authority commissions and charitable donations, so our capacity is limited. There’s lots more information available on this site.

Jacob has had a positive return to school and has settled back into school routines well and seems to have a more enthusiastic attitude towards classroom learning such as sharing ideas or being proud of the work he produces. He seems more confident in his ability and less likely to speak negatively about himself or his learning. His friendships within school seem much more stable currently and there are less problems occurring out on the playground. He seems more happy in himself and being at school which has been really lovely to see. He has really enjoyed his mentoring experience and I know it was something that he really looked forward to each week.’

Jacob has had a positive return to school and has settled back into school routines well and seems to have a more enthusiastic attitude towards classroom learning such as sharing ideas or being proud of the work he produces. He seems more confident in his ability and less likely to speak negatively about himself or his learning. His friendships within school seem much more stable currently and there are less problems occurring out on the playground. He seems more happy in himself and being at school which has been really lovely to see. He has really enjoyed his mentoring experience and I know it was something that he really looked forward to each week.’

Jacob has had a positive return to school and has settled back into school routines well and seems to have a more enthusiastic attitude towards classroom learning such as sharing ideas or being proud of the work he produces. He seems more confident in his ability and less likely to speak negatively about himself or his learning. His friendships within school seem much more stable currently and there are less problems occurring out on the playground. He seems more happy in himself and being at school which has been really lovely to see. He has really enjoyed his mentoring experience and I know it was something that he really looked forward to each week.’

Green brush stoke circle with small blue circle
Young boy holding a bird of prey

How it works

We offer several different mentoring programmes for different ages and levels of need. All of them involve being referred, often by a school, another organisation or the family. We only work with young people and families who want mentoring. Once accepted onto a programme, all young people get chance to say what they want from mentoring, and to choose the activities they do with their mentor.