Frequently Asked Questions - Youth Mentoring Training

Booking and Confirmation

Q: How quickly will I receive my booking confirmation? A: Confirmation and booking details will be sent within 3 working days of payment being made.

Q: What contact methods can I use to book training? A: You can book training by:

Training Content

Q: What types of youth mentoring training do you offer? A: We offer various training levels:

Q: What is included in the training? A: Training typically includes:

Pricing

Q: Are there additional travel costs? A: Travel costs within the M25 are included. For locations outside the M25, travel will be charged at 55p per mile or the relevant public transport costs.

Q: Are half-day trainings available? A: Yes, half day training is available and typically run from 10am-2pm.

Q: How long does it take to receive my certificate? A: CPD Certificates are usually issued within 30 working days after all participating trainees have submitted their evidence. Level 3 Qualification may take up to 9 months to receive your certificate or longer, depending on your engagement with the qualification assessors.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Q: What is your refund policy? A: Our refund policy is as follows:

Q: Are prices subject to change? A: Yes, prices are subject to change

About The Mentoring Lab Training and Development

Q: Who runs The Mentoring Lab? A: The Mentoring Lab was founded in 2017 by Elaine Isadora Thomas, a youth mentoring specialist. They are recognised for:

Q: How can I contact The Mentoring Lab?

Training Delivery and Format

Q: Do you offer online or in-person training? A: We can deliver the training both in-person and via Zoom, especially for locations outside the M25.

Q: Who is this training suitable for? A: Our training is designed for:

Q: How experienced are your trainers? A: Our founder, Elaine Thomas, has over 20 years of experience in youth mentoring, as such our training is delivered by practicing youth mentors who have:

Specific Training Details

Q: What makes your training unique? A: Our training is distinctive because it:

Q: Do you offer specialised mentoring training? A: Yes, we offer specialised training such as:

Future Plans

Q: Are there any upcoming developments? A. Demonstrating our commitment to ongoing professional development in youth mentoring, we plan to launch The Association of Youth Mentors in 2025, which

Learning Outcomes

Q: What will I learn from the training? A: Participants can expect to:

Q: Do you provide ongoing support after training? A: Yes, we offer ongoing support, peer learning, supervision and resources to trainees. Please enquiry for more information.

Payment & Invoicing

Q: How should invoices be made out? A: Make invoices payable to: The Mentoring Lab Training and Development Ltd, International House 126 Colmore Row Birmingham B3 3AP

Frequently Asked Questions - Private Youth Mentoring

What is Youth Mentoring?

Youth mentoring is the practice of being safely guided by a trusted person with experience in a particular area. Our mentors use specialized tools and techniques to support young people in achieving their chosen goals and targets.

Who is eligible for your mentoring services?

Our mentoring services are available to young people aged 10-25. We offer various mentoring styles including At Risk, Preventative, Progression, and Career Mentoring.

What's included in your mentoring packages?

Our comprehensive packages include:

Where do mentoring sessions take place?

Sessions typically take place at agreed public locations. We can also arrange online sessions when needed. We do not conduct sessions in private residences.

What qualifications do your mentors have?

All our mentors are:

How long is a typical mentoring relationship?

Mentoring relationships are structured as fixed-term packages, with the option to extend if beneficial. The length can be tailored to your needs, typically ranging from 3-12 months.

How much does private mentoring cost?

We offer flexible payment options including:

Is there a cooling-off period?

Yes, we offer a 14-day money-back cooling-off period after payment.

How often are the mentoring sessions?

Session frequency can be weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your package. Additional support is provided through mid-week calls and email contact.

What if I need to cancel a session?

Sessions can be cancelled with 24 hours' notice without charge. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours) will be charged at the full session rate.

How do you ensure confidentiality?

We maintain strict confidentiality for all information shared during mentoring sessions. However, we have a duty to share information if there are safeguarding concerns.

Can parents be involved in the mentoring process?

Parents/guardians receive regular updates on progress while respecting the mentee's confidentiality. We provide monthly summaries and quarterly detailed reports.

How do you measure progress?

We use regular progress tracking, achievement monitoring, and formal evaluations. Each mentee has an action plan with clear goals and targets.

What happens at the end of the mentoring relationship?

We implement a structured transition process including:

Can the service be funded by a third party?

Yes, we work with referral agents who can fund the service. Special arrangements and reporting requirements apply in these cases.

Contact us today to learn more about our mentoring services or to book an initial consultation.

Using Creativity in Youth Mentoring

'The power of creativity in Youth Mentoring unlocks young people's potential and shares Solution-Focused tools'

- Elaine, Founder of The Mentoring Lab

When it comes to Youth Mentoring, having the right tools can make all the difference between a good mentoring relationship and a transformative one. The Youth Mentoring Tool Kit stands out as a remarkable resource that encourages mentors to think outside the box in supporting young people's growth journey.

Understanding the Impact

The toolkit's genius lies in how it helps mentors move beyond traditional conversation-based mentoring. By providing a diverse range of creative tools and activities, it enables mentors to adapt their approach based on each young person's unique needs and learning style. This flexibility means mentoring sessions can be both engaging and effective, leading to deeper connections and more meaningful progress.

Building Trust Through Innovation

One of the toolkit's key strengths is how it helps mentors create safe, dynamic spaces for exploration and growth. Whether using the Wheel of Life Balance to understand priorities, or employing the Zones of Regulation to develop emotional awareness, these tools give young people concrete ways to express themselves and work through challenges. This structured yet creative approach helps build trust and credibility not just with the young person, but with their family as well.

Empowering Through Structure

The toolkit provides a clear framework while encouraging creative application. Mentors can:
• Guide young people in visualising their goals through interactive exercises
• Help mentees map out their support networks in engaging ways
• Use creative problem-solving tools to tackle challenges
• Develop practical action plans that feel achievable and exciting

Family Engagement and Value

What's particularly powerful is how this creative approach extends beyond the mentor-mentee relationship. When families see their young people actively engaged in structured, purposeful activities that lead to real progress, they're more likely to value and support the mentoring process. The toolkit's tangible outputs - like action plans and progress tracking - help demonstrate the concrete benefits of mentoring to families.

By encouraging mentors to think creatively about their approach, the toolkit helps create mentoring experiences that stick. Young people aren't just receiving advice; they're actively participating in their own development through engaging tools and activities. This hands-on approach leads to better retention of insights and skills, making the mentoring impact more sustainable.

The Youth Mentoring Tool Kit reminds us that effective mentoring isn't just about having good conversations, it's about creating engaging experiences that inspire growth and development. When mentors embrace creative approaches to supporting young people's progression, they unlock new possibilities for meaningful change that benefits not just the mentee, but their entire support network.

Become a Professional Youth Mentor and learn how to balance structure and flexibility, offer boundaries and warmth, patience and support to achieve tangible progression. The key is maintaining clear boundaries while building authentic connections, using evidence-based tools while remaining responsive to individual needs, and celebrating small steps while working toward larger goals.

 

Youth Mentoring Training

Invest in Youth Mentoring Training and take your practice to the next level. Click here for more information.

A Game Changing Tool Kit

The Youth Mentoring Tool Kit is a game-changer for anyone looking to make a real impact through youth mentoring. It provides a comprehensive framework that transforms mentoring conversations from casual chats into purposeful dialogues that drive growth and development.

At its core, the toolkit helps create safe spaces where young people can genuinely open up and reflect on where they are in life. Through thoughtfully designed activities and discussion prompts, mentees gain clarity about their current situation, values, and what matters most to them. The toolkit's strength lies in how it naturally guides these conversations without feeling forced or clinical.

Spotting their unique talents

What's particularly powerful is how the toolkit helps mentees uncover their hidden strengths and opportunities. Rather than focusing on problems, it encourages young people to recognise their existing capabilities and identify possibilities they might have overlooked. The tools help mentors guide mentees in spotting their unique talents, support networks, and potential pathways forward.

Shift in mindset

The reframing aspect is especially valuable. It helps young people look at their experiences through new lenses. Whether it's past challenges or current obstacles, the toolkit provides frameworks for finding learning opportunities and different perspectives. This shift in mindset can be transformative, helping mentees move from feeling stuck to seeing possibilities.

Framed Conversations

Perhaps most importantly, the toolkit focuses on developing practical skills and qualities that prepare mentees for success. Through structured goal-setting, action planning, and regular reflection, young people build confidence, resilience, and capability. The tools help mentors guide this development process while keeping the mentee in the driver's seat of their own growth journey.

What makes this toolkit stand out is how it weaves all these elements together naturally, creating a holistic approach to youth mentoring that's both practical and empowering. It gives mentors the resources to facilitate meaningful change while ensuring the process remains authentic and mentee-centered.

Professional Youth Mentoring

Professional Youth Mentoring requires a delicate balance of structure and flexibility, boundaries and warmth, patience and progress. The key is maintaining clear boundaries while building authentic connections, using evidence-based tools while remaining responsive to individual needs, and celebrating small steps while working toward larger goals.

 

Youth Mentoring Training

Invest in Youth Mentoring Training and take your practice to the next level. Click here for more information.

A Case Study | Trusting the Mentoring Process

Youth Mentoring as a Professional Practice: Trusting the Mentoring Process

Youth mentoring extends far beyond casual conversations or friendly guidance. It is a structured, intentional practice that employs evidence-based tools and techniques to support young people in their journey of personal development. This professional approach requires careful consideration of boundaries, methodologies, and outcomes while maintaining the authentic human connection that makes mentoring powerful.

Core Components of Professional Youth Mentoring:

1. Creating psychological safety
2. Building trust through consistency
3. Facilitating structured reflection
4. Supporting goal identification and achievement
5. Implementing regular progress reviews
6. Maintaining professional boundaries

The Mentoring Journey: A Case Study

Background

Aisha, a Year 7 student, was referred for mentoring support due to concerns about social withdrawal and anxiety during her transition to secondary school. Initial observations showed minimal verbal engagement, poor eye contact, and resistance to participating in group activities.

(more…)

The Power Of Mentoring

Hello!

In this short presentation, we will talk about some of the choices you make each day - choices that can either steer you toward success or lead you down the wrong path.

All of us face risk factors - like stress at home, peer pressure, dangers when out and about, or doubts in ourselves - that make it harder to make good choices. And those choices have a BIG impact. Bad choices, like skipping school or lashing out at others, make it way tougher to achieve your dreams.

That's why mentoring we like to talk about The Power of Mentoring! Trusting mentors provide protective factors to help you make wise choices. How? By sharing a range of tools, habits and skills many of life's ups and downs like; handling stress responsibly, being a friend so you avoid bad influences, and reminding you of the superpowers you don’t even know you have! Most importantly, they never give up believing in YOU.

Mentoring activities will give you a safe space to discover your talents, get encouragement when you mess up, and practice using your words not fists when you’re upset. With your mentor in your corner, you'll gain the self-confidence to stand up to peer pressure, resolve conflicts maturely, and ultimately pave a path to becoming your best self.

So if you ever feel lost, down or think you can’t succeed, come talk to me! I’ll help you remember the good in yourself and regain hope for the bright future ahead. Progress takes patience with ourselves and others. Through our time together, you’ll gain skills to make smart choices and sweet success!

Now, let’s brainstorm all the awesome goals you have for yourself this year. Dream big! With hard work and support, anything is possible...

I aimed for an inspirational yet realistic tone here, but please share any feedback on improving this presentation. What resonated or what areas need more detail? I'm happy to refine it so we convey the immense potential of youth mentoring.

 

Primary School Presentation: Click here to view

Secondary School Presentation: Contact us here

Changing Lives with Youth Mentoring

'You have been a great listener and advocate and one thing I love about you and your team is……you don’t judge'. Parent Ms S Francis

At The Mentoring Lab, we have witnessed firsthand the incredible power that quality mentorship has to positively shape a young person’s life. For over 20 years, our Founder Ceo has guided youth in schools and communities, transforming futures for the better. The results speak for themselves – we have a solid mentoring program that boasts remarkable improvements in education, employment, self-confidence and life purpose amongst mentored teens and young adults.

'The mentoring lab has made our youth offering a complete success dedicated one 2 one's that allowed us to find new ways to help and support our members into great career paths yes but even more so confidence and comfortably being themselves so glad we didn't go it alone.' Parent Kareem Muhammed 

 

 

Research confirms the benefits of Mentoring. Studies show mentored youth have better school punctuality, attendance, further and higher education enrollment rates and greater odds of landing well-paying careers compared to their peers. At The Mentoring Lab, we feel privileged to steer our youth toward bright, purposeful futures.

'Fantastic Team ,the Mentoring Lab has lot’s of thing’s to do and they provide support and daily and weekly activities for the children Thank you for your support'. Young Person MP

 

Through weekly mentoring sessions, mentees gain consistent support to set goals, cultivate their interests, and overcome obstacles holding them back. Supporting young people who struggle in different areas of life gives every mentee the opportunity to reflect on their current situation, explore their strengths, reframe experiences and develop the qualities and skills to thrive. Gently taking young people out of their comfort zone and exposing them to a 'Growth Mindset', confidence soars, as with academic attainment, relationships and social skills.

 

Explore the below list of the benefits of mentoring on young people's life trajectories, along with sources:

 

 

 

 

 

The mentoring toolkit is the usp of TML. It is a great resource for me and my son. It is a 24hour resource that we can access to help us manage challenging situations. The Mentoring process is detailed from the initial enquiry to the face to face meetings.
I highly recommend TML. Parent Ms Saunders

We have countless stories and positive reviews. Our mentors are trusted adults in youths’ corners, advocating for mentees’ advancement in careers and communities. It’s incredibly fulfilling to receive regular updates from past mentees excelling in engineering programs, business internships and youth programs – reaching heights they never thought possible thanks to guidance from their mentor.

 

Contact us today to join our I AM, Youth Mentoring MasterClass. Click here to register

Unleashing the Power of In-House Mentoring

The home of professional youth mentoring

Mentoring programs have been around for centuries, but today’s workplace is more diverse than ever before. To ensure that your in-house mentoring program is successful, you need to use the right tools and strategies. Here are eight tips that will help you launch your own in-house mentoring project.

 

1. Set Clear Goals – The first step to launching a successful in-house mentoring program is to set clear goals. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve will help ensure that your program meets its objectives. So, first very clearly establish the purpose of the mentoring program. What do you want to accomplish? What does the wider organisation want to gain from the mentoring program? Do you want the mentors and mentees to gain any specific skills or knowledge?

 

2. Consult the intended mentors and mentees. This is imperative to the success of the program. Ask both parties what they would like to gain from the mentoring relationship, what they need to feel confident with the mentoring process, and what they don't what to see, feel, think or experience during the mentoring journey. I would also advise that you consult a professional mentoring consultancy, like The Mentoring Lab, experts in how to ensure your program does not fall into common pitfalls and dead ends. Capture what is said and embed the findings into the structure of the mentoring program.

3. Put Together A Program Structure – Now it’s time to create a structure for your program that outlines what the overall mentoring program will look like and how the mentor and mentee relationship will work. This should include things like the duration of the program, expected outcomes, meeting times, frequency, topics of discussion, and any other details relevant to the project's success. Consider using templates or existing structures from similar programs as a starting point if needed.

4. Establish the safety and boundaries of the program - Let's remember that we are all simply human, able to get things wrong sometimes. Establishing first the program boundaries and then the boundaries of the relationship to ensure the program is able to keep everyone safe. Although safety is point number 4 in this blog, you should always think Safety First! 

5. Establish Communication Protocols – Establishing communication protocols is key for any successful mentorship project as it allows all parties (mentor, mentee and the organisation)  to stay on track with their goals and objectives throughout the process without any miscommunications or misunderstandings the way. Some ideas for communication protocols include regular check-ins between mentor and mentee; setting expectations around response times; using virtual tools like video calls or instant messaging; setting up feedback loops; etc.

6. Identify Mentors – Once you’ve established your goals, it’s time to identify potential mentors and mentees who can benefit from the program. You may also want to consider external experts, like The Mentoring Lab, who can offer valuable insights into topics related to the program’s objectives. When selecting potential mentors, look for individuals who have demonstrated leadership, strong communication, and an eagerness to share their knowledge with others.

7. Monitor Progress and Celebrate Successes – Last but not least, be sure to regularly monitor progress throughout your in-house mentoring project so that you can make adjustments where needed and celebrate successes when they happen! Track metrics such as engagement levels between mentor/mentee pairs, time spent on tasks assigned by either party, overall satisfaction levels with the program, etc., so that you can get an accurate picture of how things are going overall while still being able to zoom in on individual successes along the way!

A round of applause for mentoring programs

In-house mentorship programs are great ways for organisations of all sizes to foster growth among their employees while also creating meaningful connections within their teams! By setting clear goals from day one; identifying mentors and mentees who fit those goals; putting together a structured plan for your program; establishing communication protocols; monitoring progress regularly; and celebrating successes along the way—you too can launch a successful in-house mentoring project at your organisation! Good luck!

​

Contact us today

Email us at [email protected] or call us today for a friendly chat on 02081588500.

Explore our current CPD training and Qualifications here

Coping with the Loss of a Mentee to Street Violence

Losing a mentee to street violence is an incredibly difficult experience, and I wouldn't wish the loss on anybody. I have lost two mentees, 2 family friends and 2 neighbours to street violence. All were under the age of 19.

As mentors, we are responsible for helping young people stay safe and make good choices, but unfortunately, violence is sometimes unavoidable in today’s world. This post will provide guidance on how to cope with the loss of a mentee due to street violence.

Express Your Feelings
It’s important that you take the time to process your emotions when dealing with the loss of a mentee. While it may be tempting to avoid thinking about it or try to push down your feelings, it’s important that you take the time to acknowledge your pain and express your feelings in healthy ways. Writing in a journal or talking to family members or friends can help you work through any difficult emotions that come up during this difficult time. Additionally, if you need extra support, consider reaching out for professional help from a therapist or counsellor.

Get Counselling 
Mentoring is a rewarding journey, but it can be challenging. Seeking counselling to help you navigate your mentoring practice is an excellent way to gain support and insight into yourself and others. Counselling sessions can provide the tools and resources to develop healthier relationships with those in your mentoring program. Additionally, many counsellors also offer training on topics such as communication, problem-solving, self-care, stress management, and goal setting. If you feel that your mentorship practice could benefit from professional guidance, consider seeking out a qualified counsellor or treatment provider today.

Honour Your Mentee’s Memory
One way to cope with the death of a mentee is by honouring their memory in some way. Whether it’s organising an event in their honour or writing a tribute piece, there are many ways that you can remember and pay homage to them. It will also be helpful for other loved ones who are grieving as well. You could even start a scholarship fund in their name at their school or college so they can continue to have an influence on other students’ lives even after they have passed away.


Stay Connected With Other Mentors
Losing a mentee can be especially difficult for mentors because we often become deeply connected and invested in our mentees' lives and futures. That connection doesn't just disappear once they pass away—it's important that we find ways to process our grief and stay connected with other mentors who are also dealing with similar losses. Consider joining the NYA or The Mentoring Lab, or other mentor communities, where mentors can share stories about their mentees and support each other during this difficult time.
Gone by not forgotten
Losing someone close is never easy, but it's especially hard when it's someone you've been teaching and guiding for some time—like when losing a mentee due to street violence happens. It's okay if things don't seem okay right away; healing takes time, sometimes years, with everyone responding differently after experiencing such tragedy. It's important that as mentors we take care of ourselves so we can best serve those around us—including our fallen mentees whose memories live on forever in our hearts and minds.
Grooming
If you suspect your mentee is being groomed, escalate your concerns to your Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. Listen to what they say about how to approach the situation, you could even contact St. Giles Trust, experts in supporting young people engaged in gangs. Offer support and don't make assumptions or judgments. It's important to stay open-minded if your mentee reveals anything concerning.
If they share details of who they are speaking to online or in person, report this information to your Designated Safeguarding Lead, who would have been trained to call the police. Don't fear and Don't delay; sharing your concerns or conversations is your professional duty and can protect not only your mentee but potentially other children too. Make sure your mentee knows it’s ok to come to talk about their experiences with you - it’s essential that they have a trustworthy support system in place during difficult times; this is also when they are most at risk.
Keep an open dialogue with your child and set boundaries that allow them to reach out if they feel uncomfortable. Communicate the message that no one has the right to ask them to keep secrets and that it's ok to reach out if they have concerns. Reassure them that despite circumstances you are always there as their mentor to talk about any issue.

Contact us today

Email us at [email protected] or call us today for a friendly chat on 02081588500.

Explore our current CPD training and Qualifications here

 

Qualifying as a Youth Mentor - Make It Your Priority!

With the growing need of all young people, it's imperative that we upskill, treating youth mentoring as a practice, used by professionals, and not merely a soft skill that we all possess and can easily do.

Below are two reasons why you should get qualified as a youth mentor.

1. The Power of Guidance

Youth mentoring involves providing guidance and advice to younger generations. As a youth mentor, you will help guide them through difficult times and provide them with the support they need to make informed decisions. Mentors are role models and provide not only emotional support but also practical assistance such as helping with school work or job applications. And while it may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that this is all done with the best of intentions - to help young people grow into responsible adults who can successfully navigate the world around them. This role shouldn't rely on a guessing game, or be offered on a whim. Learning 'how to deliver guidance safely, can save lives, especially when working with vulnerable and marginalised youth.

 

2. The Benefits of building integral relationships

In addition to being an incredible opportunity to give back to your community, there are many personal benefits associated with being a youth mentor. For starters, it’s an amazing way to develop meaningful relationships with those you’re mentoring and gain invaluable insights into different perspectives and lifestyles. Additionally, mentoring can also increase your understanding of yourself and the world around you - something that no amount of money can buy. Furthermore, being a youth mentor has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels and improve overall wellbeing - so it really is worth taking the time out for! In order to build integral relationships, we must remember to maintain professional boundaries, reflecting on our own past trauma and experiences. Putting ourselves as youth mentors last is harder than it seems, and maintaining critical boundaries, supporting mentee through mental health difficulties even more so.

 

 

Meeting the increasing need of young people

Given the importance of this role, there are certain qualifications that must be met before someone can become a youth mentor. Depending on where you live, these requirements may differ slightly; however, generally speaking you must have completed high school or equivalent education, have experience working with children or young adults in some capacity (e.g., coaching sports teams or volunteering), pass background checks/drug tests (if applicable), maintain an acceptable level of professionalism at all times, be patient and tolerant when dealing with challenging situations etc. On top of this there may also be additional training courses required which certify mentors in areas such as conflict resolution or crisis management – depending on the organization/location where you plan on working as a mentor.

 

Youth mentoring training shouldn't be a tick-box exercise!

Becoming a youth mentor is an incredibly rewarding experience if done properly – so make sure that qualifying as one is your priority! There are numerous benefits associated with this role – from developing meaningful relationships to gaining valuable insights into different perspectives/lifestyles – but most importantly it allows us as mentors to give back by helping our younger generations become successful adults who are capable of making informed decisions in life! So what are you waiting for? Start exploring your options today!

 

Get qualified. Contact us today

Email us at [email protected]

Explore our current CPD training and Qualifications here

Or call us today for a friendly chat on 02081588500.