Here2Help Business Mentoring Programme

Here2Help Business Mentoring Programme

The innovative mentoring project matches local business owners with volunteer mentors.

Here2Help Business logoWorking in partnership with the University of Worcester Business School and Worcestershire Ambassadors, the innovative mentoring project matches local business owners with volunteer mentors to offer them invaluable expertise and guidance.

The initiative was set up in November 2020 as an initial 6 month pilot scheme to help the county’s economy recover from the financial effects of COVID-19, as part of Worcestershire County Council’s Here2Help Business Programme.

All mentors are matched individually to each mentee based on their business sector, needs, experience and of course personal traits.

Following the success of the pilot scheme, two more rounds have taken place taking us up to early 2023.

Mentoring webinars

This webinar took place on the 22 March 2021. This event included a summary of the programme, interviews with two of the current mentor and mentee pairings to hear about their objectives and experiences of the programme, eligibility criteria and next steps on how to apply to become a mentor or mentee.

The Ultimate Business Mentoring Journey - A Webinar With With Mark Wright

Mark Wright, winner of BBC's 2014 series of The Apprentice came to talk to us about his 'Ultimate Mentoring Journey'.

What can a mentor do for you?

  • your Business Mentor will help you step back from your business 
  • your Business Mentor can offer guidance and share ideas during a growth phase 
  • your Business Mentor will be a sounding board 
  • your Business Mentor will encourage you to leverage your business networks 
  • your Business Mentor will hold you
  • your Business Mentor will keep you focused on your goals 
  • your Business Mentor will challenge you

What are the benefits of a mentoring programme for a Mentee?

  • gain valuable advice 
  • develop your knowledge and skills 
  • improve your communication skills 
  • learn new perspectives 
  • build your network 
  • advance your career

What are the benefits of a mentoring programme for a Mentor?

  • build your leadership skills
  • improve your communication skills
  • learn new perspectives 
  • advance your career 
  • gain personal satisfaction

Level of mentor experience

Previous mentoring experience is not essential. Training will be given to all mentors before being matched with a mentee. However, some of the qualities we look for in a mentor include:

  • ability and willingness to communicate what you know
  • preparedness
  • approachability, availability, and the ability to listen
  • honesty with diplomacy
  • inquisitiveness
  • objectivity and fairness
  • compassion and genuineness

Mentee eligibility for joining the programme?

  • your business is situated in and trading from Worcestershire
  • your business can be either B2B or B2C
  • please note that spaces are limited, so automatic acceptance onto the programme can not be guaranteed

How to apply to become a mentor or mentee

The latest cohort of the business mentoring programme is now underway and closed for new applications. Further details for any further programme news will be updated on the website. Should you wish to make contact, please contact the Here2Help Business Mentoring programme Business Growth Manager, Dominique Bray on ​​​dbray@worcestershire.gov.uk

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