Mentorship Scheme 2023

Phase 1 where we have registered interest from new mentors and mentees is almost complete. 

It's not too late to register, you can do so by clicking here.

Phase 2 - Mentors to add their profile to our Unique Mentorship Website. 

1. Those mentors who registered their interest in the scheme over the last month through the AREF or CREFCE website should now visit the mentorship website and create a log-in and password.  You can do this by: 
   • Entering the Mentorship Website by clicking here.
   • Click the Login box in the top right hand corner.
   • Enter your email address (this must be the same email address you used when you registered your interest on the AREF/CREFCE website).
   • Set up a password (note: you will be sent a verification email, you must verify this to enable entry into the website).
2. If you have not previously registered your interest and you would like to become a Mentor, or you are having issues registering, please email us.
3. Once logged into the Mentorship Website, please visit the 'Mentor Portal' page and complete your online profile.  For this you will need a photo, a brief biography, select your professional and diversity focus as well as selecting if you are open to two-way mentoring.  The number of sessions is the number of mentees you are willing to meet, i.e. if you set this to 2 sessions, then two mentees have the opportunity to choose you.  We recommend you set this to two sessions.  Session dates are to take place between 23 January 2023 and 30 June 2023 (Note: these session dates should just be seen as placeholders, the dates can be be revised at anytime to accommodate a mentor’s changing schedule.  We recommend that you do make a note of the dates in your own calendar.  Also note actual times will be agreed once the mentor and mentee have been connected).
4. As of 9th January 2023 you may receive notifications that you've been chosen by a mentee and the mentees may begin contacting you to discuss and agree dates/times for mentoring sessions (note: The mentees are responsible for directly contacting the mentors to ensure the times and locations for mentoring sessions are mutually established and that the meetings occur. However, you can view your mentees’ contact information on the mentorship website under 'My Session' page and you are free to reach out to them).

Phase 3: Mentees to Register onto the platform. 

1. Mentees who registered their interest in the scheme through the AREF website will receive an email from AREF with further instructions on registering.
   • Entering the Mentorship Website by clicking here.
   • Go to the 'Mentee Registration Form' page.
   • Enter your email address (this must be the same email address you used when you registered your interest on the AREF/CREFCE website).
   • Set up a password (note: you will be sent a verification email, you must verify this to enable entry into the website).
2. If you have not previously registered your interest and you would like to become a mentee or you are having issues registering, please email us.
3. We suggest mentees spend some time on the mentorship website getting to know the mentors. You will be able to book sessions with at least two mentors (maybe more, it will depend on the number of participants we have in the scheme).  Read their biographies and create a list of 5 or 6 mentors with whom you would like to meet, in case you do not get your first two choices.
4. Sessions will be bookable when Phase 4, the Mentorship Booking Process, is activated on Tuesday 17th January.

Phase 4 will take place from Tuesday 17th January, when the Booking Process is Activated and allows all registered mentees to book a session with one or two mentors (maybe more, depending on the final number of participants we have). 

AREF and CREFCE will send you reminders to be ready for this date, when all of the registered mentees simultaneously will be able to book sessions with the mentors

Instructions for Mentees:

• From Tuesday 17th January, mentees should log-in and book a session with their chosen two mentors (there might be an opportunity to choose more than two, this will depend on the number of participants we have).  Note: each session must be booked with a different mentor, this is to broaden the learning experience and mentees’ industry connections). 
• Easy to follow prompts will guide mentees through the booking process. 
• Once a booking is made, it is the mentees responsibility to contact the mentor with a meeting request.  You will immediately see tips and instructions for following up with your selected mentors to finalise meeting times and locations (in-person or virtual).
  • You can learn from everybody in our group of knowledgeable mentors, so don't worry if one of your choices is fully booked before you get to that mentor.
• You can view contact information for your mentor once a session is booked by logging into the website and going to 'My Sessions'.

Mentors please note:

• From Tuesday 17th January, mentors will receive notifications that a mentee has booked a session with them. 
• You can view contact information for your mentors by logging into the website and going to 'My Sessions'.

Phase 5 will take place from Monday 23rd January until 30th June 2023 which is when the meeting sessions will take place.

It is the responsiblity of the Mentee to contact selected Mentors to finalise meeting arrangements (date/time/virtual or in-person). 

Once the mentor and mentees are connected, they can agree how often and how long they will meet, as this all depends on the individuals and it's up to the two people to decide.

• Mentees reach out - Mentors like to hear from you right away after a booking is made. Get the session locked into each other's calendar.
• Before the meeting - Outline topics for the upcoming session and touch on shared professional interests.
• Be prepared - Mentors respect it when mentees come to the meeting with open‐ended questions that guide the discussion without restricting feedback.
• Be fully present - Set aside daily pressures during mentoring sessions so you can give the most and get the most from the experience.
• It's not an interview - It's an exchange. Don't get lost in note taking. Mentees be engaged in the conversation to fully connect and learn.
• Summarise each session - In closing a meeting, mentees could speak about the insights gained. Mentors appreciate knowing how they helped and this cements the relationship.
• View More Tips from Mentorship Rocket by clicking here.

To register your interest in becoming a mentor or mentee, please fill in the form below and click the button at the bottom to submit. We will be in touch soon to discuss the next steps. 

For all enquiries relating to our Mentorship Scheme, please email us on info@aref.org.uk.