Work with a Charity Mentor
Since Charity Mentors started in 2013, we have worked on over 150 different mentoring projects with the not-for-profit sector in Oxfordshire.
Since Charity Mentors started in 2013, we have worked on over 150 different mentoring projects with the not-for-profit sector in Oxfordshire.
Our mentoring is short-term (usually 4 to 5 months duration), strategic (all projects involve challenges at the strategic level) and specific (we set clear goals with the mentee so that we can work towards pre-agreed outcomes). We work with not-for-profits of different sizes (from very small to medium/large enterprises) and with leaders from many different backgrounds, with a wide range of experience and confidence. Find out more!
Who we work with
We work with anyone involved at the strategic level of the organisation including chairs, trustees, managers and directors but we always seek permission from trustees before becoming involved. Please note, our service is only available for organisations based in Oxfordshire. Some of our mentees have been very experienced (possibly even acting as mentors for other people themselves) and some of our mentees have been people just starting out in the not-for-profit sector. Click here to see what they say about the benefits of working with a charity mentor.
Example of issues our mentors have worked with
Some specific examples
Yellow Submarine: The challenge for Yellow Submarine was to become a more sustainable social enterprise and to reduce its reliance on grants and trusts whilst trying to grow and to increase services for their beneficiaries. Running a social enterprise meant that the CEO found it very difficult to devote time to achieving this aim. Our mentor was asked to help the CEO to focus on this challenge and to assess and redefine the strategy of Yellow Submarine.
Reducing the Risk: Reducing the Risk was looking to make a step-change in their service development, moving from a small charity to developing an enterprise with training ‘packages’ and national networks. The challenge was to bring all their ideas together in an effective way. Our mentor’s role was to help the trustees articulate their shared values and to develop a sense of shared ownership in their strategic direction and goals.
South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance (SOFEA): SOFEA’s primary motivation for working with a Charity Mentor was to get help with governance and with its structure in bring two companies together. Our Charity Mentor worked with SOFEA on strategies to bring the two companies together and combine the Board of Trustees whilst successfully dealing with the governance issues surrounding the change.
Talking Shop: The Talking Shop project was only four years old when Charity Mentors got involved. It was at an exciting but demanding stage of growth. There were so many new things they wanted to develop but never enough hours in the week to achieve the new developments and improve the running of their existing services. Our Charity Mentor worked with the chair of Talking Shop to help her with the task of leading the team and achieving the focus and development desired.
How the process works
Learn more about our impact and the benefits
To learn more about the potential impact on your organisation and the benefits of working with a mentor, check out our latest Charity Mentors Impact Report 2017