Virtual mentoring, real support

24 Mar 2020 04:19 PM

The GCS Mentoring Programme is now open for applications.

If you’re new to our programme, it brings together communication specialists in a mentoring partnership. Mentors are able to guide their mentees through a series of informal one-to-one discussions. 

Our working patterns are going to be completely different for a while, with many of us supporting the COVID-19 communication work. 

Mentoring can help you cope with these changes and challenges, and help us focus on developing ourselves as communicators and supporting our colleagues. 

While staff are working from home and face to face meetings paused, we wanted to highlight that mentoring can still happen virtually. It’s a time for both mentors and mentees to listen to each other, talk through any concerns and be a friendly voice during these uncertain times. 

Here are some top tips for mentoring digitally:

• Make initial contact by email and explore which video or phone platforms are most accessible for both of you
• Set up an initial meeting using the agreed platform to assess the effectiveness
• As explained in the Mentoring Handbook, at your first meeting discuss the purpose and goals of the relationships: you may decide to use different platforms for different objectives
• Explore online video platforms include Google Hangouts, Skype, Whatsapp videos, FaceTime and Zoom

If you want to become a mentor/mentee, applications close on 30 April. 

Email GCSMentoringProgramme@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. You will receive an auto-reply with the link to the online application forms.