Join 1000+ Trained Youth Mentors

The Home of Youth Mentoring

Supporting new and experienced youth practitioners in enhancing their Youth Mentoring practice.

About Us

We are the UK's leading dedicated Youth Mentoring training and development company, specialising in evidence-based Youth Mentoring in Practice. Our mission is to train and support youth mentors to transform outcomes for young people from marginalised communities. Led by Elaine Isadora Thomas, with over 30 years of youth mentoring experience, we've trained thousands of mentors and shaped industry standards across the UK and world.
Our social aims are to improve the equity, social capital, and social mobility of the young people to end the circle of poverty.
Call Our Team

Affordable Youth Mentoring Training

We provide affordable Youth Mentoring courses and training for new and existing youth mentors and practitioners. With a proven track record within the Education, Community and Voluntary sectors, our courses are accessible to all. 

Explore our popular courses below.
View All Training

Latest Training and Updates

Mentoring Youth in 
Children's Residential Homes

Learn More

The Youth Mentoring Tool Kit
(3rd Ed)

Learn More

Latest Newsletter
(Sept 2025)

Read Now
Explore all our training 



Join Our Team of Youth Mentors

Are you an experienced Youth Mentor or youth practitioner ready to join a worldwide network dedicated to youth progression?

Join The Mentoring Lab’s new digital Youth Mentoring platform that brings together Youth Mentors to support marginalised young people around the globe.

Connect. Collaborate. Amplify Your Impact.

As a Freelance Digital Youth Mentor with our platform, you'll join a movement of like-minded youth professionals committed to evidence-based, culturally competent youth mentoring.

Interviews, Onboarding and Training has begun. Platform launches in Jan 2026! 

Sign Up Now

Youth Mentoring In Practice 
(Global South Practitioners)

Do you live in the Global South? Do you want to improve young lives? 

Explore our two day and six day Youth Mentoring in courses designed for new and experienced youth mentors seeking to enhance and update their practice with the latest developments within Youth Mentoring.

The courses we have available to international youth mentors, practitioners, youth workers living in the Global South. 

Complete our Youth Mentoring In Practice (2 days) and The Complete Youth Mentors Tool Kit (6 days)

Resources included | Aligns with UN Sustainability Goals | Ongoing Support 
Learn More 
The Mentoring Lab delivered a fantastic, informative, interesting and engaging introductory session to youth mentoring. Elaine led us through the session with great knowledge, tools and insight. I would highly suggest this training to other practitioners!!
Ula Smith
High Trees Community Development Trust
The course facilitator Elaine was brilliant, very engaging. The content of the course was really informative and I've learned loads, and I am already incorporating what I've learnt in my daily practise. Would most definitely recommend!
Babz Carriman
The Shared Learning Trust
'Rarely have I seen an organisation with this quality of youth mentoring model. 
The Mentoring Lab has a lot to offer the sector.' 
Vicky Torrance 
(JNC qualified, 23 years Youth Work experience)

Youth Mentoring Training Overview 

Learn More
We firmly believe that people investing in youth mentoring training should leave the course fully equipped to start their new careers. That is why we have focused hard on providing complete training solutions for new and experienced youth mentors.

The Youth Mentoring Tool Kit (3rd Ed)

Learn More
The Youth Mentoring Tool Kit will develop trust and confidence in the mentoring process. Creating safer spaces where mentees can make a tangle progression. Equipping young people with lifelong tools to reflect, explore, reframe and develop the qualities to succeed.
Explore all our training 

WHAT IS YOUTH MENTORING?

Youth Mentoring is a multi-disciplinary practice where a young person is safely guided by a trusted person; who has a set of qualities and more experience in a particular area; using mentoring tools and techniques to support them in overcoming barriers to progression, navigating life and achieving chosen actions and goals.
Definition by Elaine Thomas
The Mentoring Lab Founder Ceo

WHAT IS A YOUTH MENTOR?

A youth mentor is a trusted person with a set of qualities and experience in a particular area. Able to use multi-disciplinary approaches, mentoring tools and techniques to safely guide another with less experience in that area, to support them in; overcoming barriers to progression; navigating life and achieving chosen actions and goals.
Definition by Elaine Thomas, The Mentoring Lab Founder Ceo

What We Offer

Youth Mentoring Training

Offering certified Professional Youth Mentoring Training, we offer reflective youth mentoring training for new and experienced youth practitioners working with marginalised youth.
LEARN MORE

Youth Mentoring Resources

We provide a range of Youth Mentoring resources, tool kits, ready made training materials, workshop guides, and support tools for youth practitioners developing youth mentoring programs.
LEARN MORE

1:1 Youth Mentoring

Guided by our Youth Mentoring Tool Kit, our outreach mentoring improves student's and young people's focus, attitude towards learning and confidence, whilst enhancing their protective factors.
LEARN MORE

Project Consultation

With extensive experience of planning, designing and delivering mentoring projects, we design agile, fit for purpose mentoring programmes that are culturally safe and proficient.
LEARN MORE
Schedule a call

Training Quality and Standards

Accredited Youth Mentoring Training
Deepen's practitioner knowledge and improves skill set
Gives practitioners much time to reflect on best practices
LEARN MORE
Shayanna D. profile pictureShayanna D.
16:49 10 Feb 23
I have just finished a great Mentoring session with The Mentoring Lab. It was incredibly informative. I've left with a wealth oof information that I feel I can apply to what about to do. I feel confident that I understand the role of a mentor and that I can help that I will mentor work towards achieving their goals. A great course I'd recommend to anyone that is interested in taking mentoring seriously.
Judith M. profile pictureJudith M.
16:03 03 Feb 23
It was a fantastic training! We learnt many techniques and approaches.
I was impressed by the level of knowledge and experience of the trainer.
Micaela B. profile pictureMicaela B.
16:01 03 Feb 23
I highly recommend Elaine's mentoring training, it has been very useful and I am sure it will reflect on my practice in a positive way.
Rachael B. profile pictureRachael B.
15:36 29 Nov 22
Best Mentoring Programme I have been on to date. Great practical resources and trainer Elaine was brilliant. Very clear, informative with tonnes of experience. Really enjoyed and would 100% recommend.
jessica M. profile picturejessica M.
13:45 28 Sep 22
Thank you Elaine, your knowledge and passion was felt during the training session. I highly appreciate the information and tools shared and feel more confident in my current role in a youth mentoring charity.

Outreach Youth Mentoring

Youth Mentors with solid experience working in the education and youth sector
Fully vetted and trained in alignment with our Safer Recruitment Policy
Equipped with our Youth Mentoring Tool Kit and range of resources
Learn More

Level 3 Qualification V The Complete Youth Mentors ToolKit

Why Choose 'The Complete Youth Mentors Tool Kit' When considering professional development in Youth Mentoring, practitioners face a critical choice in choosing practical, evidence-based training that delivers immediate impact. Here's why The Complete Youth Mentors Tool Kit represents the smarter investment for aspiring and experienced Youth Mentors. Meeting Real Industry Requirements Youth Mentoring qualifications are […]
READ BLOG

Child Abuse Disclosures in Youth Mentoring: A Guide for Youth Mentors

Following yesterday's powerful call from nearly 300 public figures urging the Prime Minister to end physical punishment against children in England, it's clear that safeguarding remains at the forefront of national concern. The NSPCC's report of a 40% increase in contacts about physical punishment underscores an urgent reality: as mentors, we must be prepared to […]
READ BLOG
1 2 3 31

Testimonials

    Learn more about The Mentoring Lab's not for profit aims working with young people in Hackney and surrounding boroughs

    The Mentoring Lab Community

    Learn more about our The Mentoring Lab Community C.I.C. Founded by our director, Elaine Isadora Thomas.

    Join the range of Youth Mentoring and Leadership opportunities where young people can develop their skills, self esteem, worth and belonging.

    www.tmlcommunity.org
    Past Clients
    The home of professional youth mentoring
    office@thementoringlab.co.uk
    training@thementoringlab.co.uk
    © Copyright 2020 - 2023 - The Mentoring Lab Training and Development Ltd
    All Rights Reserved
    envelopephone-handsetmap-marker linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram