The process
How mentoring works
From the first conversation to the last session, we're with you every step of the way. Here's what the mentoring journey looks like.
The process
A clear, supported journey from start to finish
Initial conversation
Everything starts with a conversation. Whether you're a parent, a school, or a local authority, we'll take the time to understand the young person's situation, what they're struggling with, and what they need. There's no pressure and no commitment at this stage.
Getting to know each other
Once we decide to work together, the first priority is building a genuine relationship. We take time to understand the young person, their interests, strengths and what matters to them. From there, we can find the right ways to engage them and start building momentum.
Getting started
The first few sessions are about building trust and establishing a routine. We get to know each other, explore the young person's interests and begin to identify what they want to work towards. Families and schools are kept informed throughout.
Regular sessions
Mentoring sessions are typically weekly, normally 2 hours min. Sessions can take place at school, at home, or in the community — whatever works best for the young person. Sessions are shaped around the young person's needs, interests and goals.
Review and progress
We check in regularly with families and schools to talk about progress, what's working and where things may need to change. Our goal is always to help the young person move forward — not just to fill sessions.”
Planned ending
When the time is right, we plan the ending of the mentoring relationship carefully. We don't just stop — we make sure the young person feels supported and ready to move forward independently, and that families and schools have what they need to continue that support.
What to expect
Honest answers to common questions
We know you'll have questions. Here are the ones we hear most often.
Every young person is different. We don't set an arbitrary timeframe — we focus on what is right for the young person and their circumstances. Where appropriate, mentoring can be a longer-term commitment.
Sessions can take place in school, at home or out in the community, depending on what works best for the young person and their circumstances.
Most young people have one session per week, lasting 2 hours min. We can adjust frequency depending on need and availability.
Dave provides the mentoring directly. This means the young person has consistency from the same person throughout their mentoring relationship, allowing trust and a genuine relationship to develop over time.
We use a combination of structured tools and regular conversations with young people, families, and schools to track progress. We're honest about what we're seeing and we share updates regularly.We look at the changes that matter to each young person — including confidence, engagement, relationships, independence and willingness to try new things. We check in regularly with families and schools to understand what is working and where things may need to change.
We believe in being honest. If something isn't working, we talk about it, listen to the young person and their family, and adapt our approach. If mentoring isn't the right support, we'll be honest about that too and work alongside the appropriate people or services.
Ready to take the first step?
Get in touch and we'll have an initial conversation about how we might be able to help.