FAQs mentees (18 and over)
Q Are there any costs involved? Do mentors get paid?
No, 1MM mentoring is offered to all free of charge. We are a charity and fundraise to cover the costs of providing our services. All 1MM mentors are volunteers.
Q. What type of young person is it designed to support?
1MM wants mentoring to be available to every young person who:
· Needs support, advice and guidance to fulfil their potential
· Is fully committed to attending mentoring sessions for one hour, once a month for up to a year
· Will make the most of the opportunity by doing some background work ahead of each session
Q How long does my profile, the training and the pre-programme surveys take?
It depends on the individual but it’s usually between 30 and 40 minutes in total.
Q Can I have a specific type of mentor – for someone ‘like me’
It will be up to you, and your mentor, whether to go ahead with each other… so it’s possible for you to hold out for ‘someone like you’… But we strongly advise against it.
Connecting people from different backgrounds is good for the individuals (it introduces different ideas and viewpoints) and it’s good for society (it promotes better social cohesion and justice).
At 1MM we are proud of our ability to match mentors and mentees across difference. That’s why we train our mentors to connect with young people with whom they do not obviously share the same personal characteristics or career path – and to find common interests as well as offering new perspectives.
If there is a reason why you need a specific type of mentor, then please inform us and we’ll discuss your requirements with you prior to matching.
Q How long does it take to be matched with a mentor and to start mentoring?
The average time from sign-up to meeting your mentor is 6 weeks but it can vary considerably. Sometimes it can be a matter of days but…
We are looking for strong matches between what a mentee has said they need and a mentor’s experience, as well as accommodating ‘practical’ factors, so sometimes patience is required!
If we can’t match you ‘immediately’, don’t be discouraged. The numbers of mentors signing up is increasing month on month. We might not be able to find the right match for your needs straight away, but the best match for you could well be the next mentor that joins us.
Q Can I talk with/send messages to my mentor outside of our meetings?
Yes. If your mentor agrees to sharing their contact details, you can communicate via email, phone or a professional social media platform such as LinkedIn or Twitter.
Q Where can I meet my mentor?
As an over 18-year-old mentee, most (if not all) of your mentoring meetings will take place online. Online meetings should take place on one of the publicly available video conferencing platforms (e.g. Zoom, Teams…)
If you do have – and both agree to – the opportunity to meet face-to-face, meetings can take place anywhere but must be in suitable public places (e.g. coffee shops, university campuses, employers office etc.).
Q What do I do if I have a concern about my mentor’s behaviour?
We have a comprehensive section on safeguarding in our online training. For more information on safeguarding please click here.
If you have a concern, report it immediately to us at safeguarding@1MM.org.uk
Q What do I do if I’m not getting along with my mentor?
Usually, connections get stronger as people get to know one another, but if by the third session you still feel it’s not working – reach out to us for advice and support via our monthly check-in process, or directly at delivery@1mm.org.uk
Q How long do mentoring relationships usually last and can I keep in touch with my mentor after the end of the programme?
Most 1MM mentoring relationships last between 9 months and one year.
Occasionally a relationship will ‘finish early’ because both mentee and mentor feel that it has achieved its aims.
Some independent mentees (over 18) and their mentors agree to continue with an informal relationship once their ‘official’ 1MM programme has ended.
Q What do I do if my mentor buys me a gift, or I want to treat my mentor?
As well as small gifts, this can take the form of food, drink and entertainment. Please see our full gifts and hospitality policy which covers how to handle this whilst staying compliant with both the UK Bribery Act 2010 and 1MM’s commitment to safeguarding.