Apply to be a mentor

Why Not Become A Mentor?

All SWV Veterans who have taken part in the Sports Habilitation or Pain Management Pathways are offered individual mentoring support.

Each Veteran is paired with either a business or personal Mentor who helps identify goals and develop personal and professional skills for the mentee.

The Mentor, who has taken part in SWV’s Mentor training scheme, may offer help with retraining, career change, setting up a business, or returning to employment.

Alternatively, the Mentor’s help might centre on housing or lifestyle issues, or maybe simply getting a medication review. At each step, the Mentor’s objective is to work towards a secure and fulfilling future for the Veteran, with the Veteran’s needs being their main focus.

military veterans sitting around a table

What qualifications/ skills do I need?

Our one year mentoring contract on the SWV Mentoring Programme is open to individuals who:

Are enthusiastic about being a Mentor
Feel able to help people move on to a new phase in their lives
Are willing and able to fulfil the required time and energy commitments
Business Mentors can be from diverse and all business sectors

Mentors should have the following skills and abilities:

Experience of supporting others through periods of personal change
Active listening skills
Ability to be non-judgemental
Ability to work within confidentiality
Assertion skills
Problem solving skills
Ability to show empathy
Ability to be objective
Are self-aware and reflective

Will I get paid?

All of our Mentors are volunteers. You will be offered travel expenses when you have to meet your mentee face to face, so that you are not out of pocket. You will be offered the SWV Mentoring Training Programme at no cost.

How long will I Mentor for?

The contract with each Veteran (mentee) is for one year, after which a review of progress is carried out. Mentors and their Veterans meet a minimum of 4 times a year, with weekly mentoring sessions being carried out using online platforms.

If the mentee has achieved their aims, i.e found employment, entered into education or made positive changes to their lifestyle to such an extent that they no longer need Mentor support, then the contract can be terminated.

What training and support do I get if I become a Mentor?

There is an initial training programme, and when that is completed and you have been given a mentee, you will be supervised by a Mentoring Scheme Coordinator who is there to ensure the aims of the programme are being met, by both Mentor and Mentee.