To help a local girl feel more confident about her future. Through regular mentoring conversations, volunteers encourage girls to recognise their strengths, explore opportunities and believe in what might be possible for them.
As a volunteer mentor, you will:
Meet with a girl or young woman for six one-to-one mentoring sessions over approximately six months
Build a positive, supportive mentoring relationship
Encourage her to recognise her strengths and develop confidence
Help her explore future education, training and career opportunities
Share your own experiences of work and life where relevant
Complete brief session records and communicate with your Regional Programme Lead when needed
Attend training and follow The Girls' Network's safeguarding and mentoring guidance
You don't need to be an expert or have all the answers. The most important thing is being willing to listen, encourage and help a young person explore what's possible for her future.
Passionate about supporting girls and young women to explore their potential and future opportunities
Able to build positive, supportive relationships
A good listener who enjoys encouraging others
Reliable and able to commit to the mentoring programme
Believes that no girl's future should be limited by her background
You will also need:
To be aged 25 or over
At least three years' experience of work or workplaces, in any role and at any level
No previous mentoring experience is required. We welcome women from all backgrounds, industries and career paths. Your experiences, encouragement and willingness to listen can help a girl build confidence, broaden her horizons and imagine futures full of possibility.
Mentoring sessions take place in local schools across Durham and the surrounding area. Sessions are usually held after the school day has finished, typically between 3pm and 6pm.
Mentors commit around 2–3 hours per month for six months, including six one-to-one mentoring sessions with a young person. Training is provided online before the programme begins.
All mentors receive comprehensive training before being matched with a young person, covering the mentoring programme, safeguarding, boundaries and practical guidance for the role.
Throughout the programme, mentors are supported by a dedicated Regional Programme Lead who is available for advice, guidance and regular check-ins. Mentors also have access to resources, ongoing development opportunities and a community of fellow mentors.
Reasonable travel expenses may be reimbursed in line with The Girls' Network's volunteer expenses policy.
Volunteering with The Girls' Network is an opportunity to support a local girl to build confidence and explore her future, while developing your own mentoring and communication skills. Mentors receive training, ongoing support and become part of a welcoming community of women committed to helping the next generation realise their potential.
We are committed to making volunteering as accessible as possible and welcome applications from women with disabilities, long-term health conditions and neurodivergent volunteers.
Mentoring takes place in schools across Durham and the surrounding area. We aim to match mentors with schools that are reasonably accessible from their home location and will discuss any access requirements during the application process. Training can be delivered online and reasonable adjustments will be considered wherever possible.
Travel expenses may be reimbursed in line with The Girls' Network's volunteer expenses policy.
