Youth Partners
Mentoring can enhance the services our youth partners already provide by helping young people to improve their work readiness and academic success.
“We have worked with 1MM for a few years now, and have found it to be hugely helpful to work in partnership in this way. Establishing mentoring programmes is resource intensive, which is a real challenge for us, however the support 1MM offer has been invaluable and really helped us to maximise the scope and impact of our delivery. Not only do they provide high-quality mentors, but they deliver training, provide resources, and track the progression of relationships. They have consistently been a pleasure to work with, and we couldn’t have done what we have on the same scale without their support!”
Helen Lord, Recruitment and Widening Participation Manager, Manchester Metropolitan University
What do mentors do?
One young person. One mentor. One-to-one. One hour a month.
We train all kinds of people to be mentors, who will likely to have five years general working experience or two years post-graduate working experience − whether working, retired or on a career break − who are digitally matched with our youth partners. Mentors are then introduced to their mentee, who they meet for one hour, once a month, for up to a year.
If the young person is over the age of 18 mentoring can take place at a date and time to suit the mentor and mentee, although our safeguarding policy necessitates that all meetings must be held in a public place. Thanks to our online training, which includes a mandatory module on safeguarding, mentors are fully equipped and prepared for their first conversation with a young person.
This is one great opportunity for one of your students. One life changed.
Why is mentoring valuable for young people?
One young person. One mentor. One-to-one. One hour a month.
By connecting with young people at a crucial life stage, mentoring can raise a young person’s aspirations in areas such as further education, the world of work or social action. Mentoring can be a catalyst for positive life choices and exceptional achievement, transforming a young person’s future.
The advantages for young people include:
- Improving well-being and confidence
- Boosting employability skills
- Widening social networks
- Increasing personal effectiveness, and
- Increasing exposure to the world of work
What we expect of you
As a youth partner, we will support you in setting up and maintaining the mentoring programme; however, we do require one member of staff to be a designated “Mentor Coordinator” and manage the programme internally. This will involve completing DBS checks, being the first point of contact for mentors, organising mentoring sessions and supporting 1MM in collecting surveys and demographic information.
How to take part?
- Register your organisation: Send us an Email.
- Induction Pack: We’ll send a detailed induction pack and support you step by step.
- Mentor Induction: We’ll help you host a Mentor Induction – welcome mentors, share objectives, conduct safeguarding checks etc.
- Match mentors to mentees: Review mentor profiles to match to your young people.
- Mentee induction & begin mentoring: We’ll run a brief Mentee Induction – helping prepare your students for getting the most from a mentoring relationship.
Our Youth Partners in London
Our Youth Partners
Youth Partners in London
City Gateway
HMP Thameside
Langdon Park School
Morpeth School
New City College
New City College – Ardleigh Green
New City College – Epping
New City College Hackney
New City College -Havering
New City College -Redbridge
Newham College of Further Education
Photography Foundation
Queen Mary University London
Royal Docks Academy
Youth Partners in Greater Manchester and other regions
Aquinas College
Bolton University Collegiate School
Calderstones School
Co-op Academy Swinton
Oldershaw School
Oldham Sixth Form College
Sale Sharks HITZ Programme
St. Michael’s Catholic School
Whalley Range High School
Youth Partners in Wales
Bassaleg Comprehensive School
Caerleon Comprehensive School
Ely and Cearau Community Programme
Llanwern High School
Mary Immaculate High School
St Josephs High School
Welsh Millennium Centre
Willows High School
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any payments to mentors for their time?
No, it’s free to youth partners. Schools, colleges, universities, or youth organisations will complete any DBS checks needed. DBS checks for volunteers are free, but there may be a small admin charge.
What agreements need to be in place before we begin?
You’ll be asked to sign a Collaboration Agreement. These documents lay out the roles and responsibilities, and ensure confidentiality and in particular, safeguarding.
Where will the mentors and mentees meet?
- If mentees are under 18 years old, all meetings must be arranged via the Youth Partner and take place onsite.
- If the Youth Partner is facilitating virtual sessions for under 18’s, mentees must be onsite during the call.
- If mentees are over 18, meetings can take place anywhere but we strongly recommend meeting in public places (e.g. coffee shops, university campus’s, employers office ect.)
What is your selection criteria for mentors?
Anyone with working experience can be an effective mentor. They just need to be:
- Aged 25 or over
- Working, retired or on a career break
- Prepared to give one hour, per month for up to 12 months
- Registered on the 1MM platform, with profile and training completed to help matching
How does the matching process work?
Mentors will complete a profile on our platform, which includes details of their profession, and a personal statement, as well as selecting areas in which they feel they can help a young person. These details will be used to align with the goals and ambitions of the young people. If there are any specific preferences required, this can be taken into consideration.
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
Can we offer mentoring to recent school leavers?
Yes, please direct them to our website where they can individually sign up.
I would like to have young people apply for this opportunity, do you have an application form available?
Yes, please refer to the Youth Partner handbook, which will be received at the Youth Partner induction.
Do mentors need to complete a criminal records check (DBS check) to take part?
An enhanced DBS check is essential before they can meet their mentee if the young person is under 18 or classed as a vulnerable adult. If you work with under 18s, DBS checks will be undertaken by you.
If mentors are registered on the DBS update service, will they need another DBS check?
No, if a mentor is registered on the DBS Update service with an enhanced DBS check, you can make sure this is still valid by entering their name and certificate number onto the website at www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service. Mentors will need to give explicit permission for you to check their record, as well as provide their DBS certificate number and a photo ID (such as driving license or passport). This check only takes a few minutes and is completely free.