Join 1000+ Trained Youth Mentors

Youth Mentor Academy Founders Level

The Founders Academy gives visionary leaders time to reflect and prepare to launch their own Youth Mentoring organisation to create lasting impact in their communities.

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Overview

The Founders Academy Level is perfect for: Experienced practitioners, social entrepreneurs, community leaders, senior youth workers, and visionary professionals ready to establish their own youth mentoring organisation or expand existing services with Youth Mentoring programmes.

Are You Ready to Transform Communities?
Join the growing network of youth mentoring leaders who are creating lasting change in their communities. Your vision can become reality with the right foundation, support, and expertise.

Duration: 12 weeks
Prerequisites: At least 5 years supporting young people's progression
Minimum Age: 18
Assessment Method: Participation in theoretical learning, practical observation, project brief, completion of self study

What You'll Learn

- Strategically plan and develop your organisational structure
- Create evidence-based Youth Mentoring projects
- Explore sustainable revenue models
- Implementing mentoring standards
- Leader and Manage teams
- Measure and Evaluate Impact
- Build strategic partnerships.

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Added Value

We want to add value to your experience with us, to help launch your career within Youth Mentoring.

✅ CPD Certificate in Enhanced Youth Mentoring
✅ Business Mentorship and Coaching
✅ Enhanced DBS Check included
✅ Youth Mentoring toolkit resource pack
✅ Membership to the Association of Youth Mentors
✅ Free Access to NASEN and specialist training
✅ Ongoing consultancy support for first 6 months
✅ Access to monthly funding newsletter

Founders Level Structure

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Theoretical Component

You'll master the principles of business development and social entrepreneurship specific to Youth Mentoring. Develop knowledge in governance, legal frameworks, policies and procedures. You’ll create a sustainable business model that will establish your credibility as a community leader within Youth Mentoring.

Duration: 12 weeks
Days of the week: Fri
Times: 10am-2pm
Total direct learning hours: 48

Practical Component

You'll develop your organisational plan, create your mentoring framework, and build the tools and techniques needed to mentor youth from a range of backgrounds. You’ll work directly on establishing your organisation with expert guidance from our Ceo, including policy development and project management.

Duration: 12 weeks
Days of the week: Wed
Times: 6pm - 7.30pm
Total Practical hours: 10

Self Study Component

At your own pace you'll research your target market, create a pilot project. You’ll build your resources, knowledge and skills. This component focuses on real-world application and preparing you for the successful launch of your Youth Mentoring organisation.

Duration: 12 weeks
Days of the week: Self Directed
Times: Self Directed
Total Self Study hours: 48

Job and Career Support (Optional)

Our ongoing support will guide you through the critical first phase of launching your organisation. You'll receive ongoing mentorship, troubleshooting support, and connections to key stakeholders in the youth mentoring ecosystem.

Support includes:

- Six months of post programme coaching and mentoring
- 1 x Grant application review and feedback
- Access to funding database
- Partnership with established networks and organisations
- Marketing and communications support
- Access to ready made tools, resources and quality standards

Founders Level Features

Professional Recognition

You'll receive a CPD in Enhanced Youth Mentoring.
Regulated by
The CPD Group

Self Study

At your own pace, you'll explore your beneficiaries needs, research your target market and create a pilot project.

Practice Sessions

You'll work directly on building your organisation with expert guidance and real-world application

Business Development

3 months of continued business support, funding strategies and operational frameworks.

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Free Youth Mentoring Resources

The Youth Mentoring Tool Kit comprises over 20 mentoring activities, coaching tools and leadership model for common barriers to progression youth face.

Explore the tool kit today. Each academy booking received a free print and downloadable copy.

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Why Choose Us

Our trainers have over 30 years of hands-on experience in transforming young lives. We have;

✅ Trained 1000 Youth Mentors worldwide
✅ Developed Youth Mentoring in Practice Standards
✅ Shaped industry standards and best practices
✅ Evidence-based resources and frameworks
✅ An extensive network of schools, asset led, voluntary and community organisations.

Flexible Payment Options

We offer a range of payment plans available for all of our training. Including;

✅ 0% Finance Options
✅ Employer sponsorship

Choose to spread the cost of your purchase, with interest free payment option. With no need to wait around to see if you’ve been approved and easy access to see your balance or make remaining payments online.

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Academy Levels

Beginner

Perfect for new volunteers and aspiring Youth Mentors

Duration: 12 weeks

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Intermediate

For experienced practitioners ready to deepen their impact

Duration: 8 weeks

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Experienced

Fast-track for experienced professionals

Duration: 2-4 weeks

Learn More + Book

Founder

Launch your own Youth Mentoring Organisation

Duration: 12 weeks

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FAQ's

To explore our Knowledge Base with FAQ's and articles

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Testimonials

            
                                  "I found the organisation to be professionals proficient they are very capable of engaging a large group of young people from two different estates with varying demographics and a history of anti-social behaviour, they are also capable of working under minimal supervision to dynamically structured sessions where young people could come along to express themselves creatively in a safe and welcoming space."

                                    Siovhan Crombie - Hackney
                                
                                  "Elaine of The Mentoring Lab is the Opogo community expert providing a current and updated overview of mentoring, development sessions, blogs and webinars regarding working with young people and adults to prevent underachievement in their learning or careers. Her blogs are a fabulous read and integrate some great advice. Elaine, You're a fantastic writer! "

                                    S. Salmon - Opogo
                                
                                  "I was present when The Mentoring Lab ran an employability programme last year at Ingram Court. The teams' ability to engage the hardest to reach residents was extraordinary. There were some real measurable outcomes that came out of the programme and its structure was both beneficial in terms of raising aspirations and accessing resources coupled with being flexible enough to cater for individual needs. I would strongly recommend.
"

                                    S. Georgiou - Evolve Housing
                                
                                  "The Mentoring Lab has been responsible for the design and implementation of an extremely successful Summer Activities programme for Futureversity in Greenwich for the past two years. They have demonstrated great skill and determination to deliver a programme which has far exceeded the expectations of both commissioners and Futureversity."

                                    Opendoor Services - Opendoor Services
                                
                                  "I would like to start off by saying, a big thank you for my son who had received so much information! It was such a blessing and appreciate your time and effort. We took away much more than expected which motivates me and my son to continue using other services you may have to offer and to also let others know of the great work you and your team are putting in to help young teenagers be inspired, learning new skills, also confidence building to go on being a better version of themselves. Thank you. "

                                    Miss Seivwright - Parent
                                
                                  "I've had a really good experience and I think everyone should join as you can learn new things whilst having fun. All of the mentors are my favourite I can't pick because everyone is really nice!"

                                    Rahimah - 10
                                
                                  "I like taking part in the Mentoring Lab activities because it keeps me busy and I have learnt a few things over the lockdown period. Its helped me become more flexible with new situations and made me more confident speaking to people I may have not met before."

                                    Timi - 10
                                
                                  "I feel like I have had a good experience especially with lockdown, I have been given the opportunity to get help with things I can't do on my own. I have been provided with the resources to aid me with my studies that some of my friends did not have."

                                    Ivy - 14
                                
                                  "They are a delightful hardworking team who helps you with different aspects of learning and life in general. Personally I feel that it has helped me learn how to learn online and work ahead."

                                    Albert - 10
                                
                                  "Micayla is really enjoying being able to do something she loves during this challenging and difficult time. If the children are not able to return to school till September, I hope these classes will continue. Thanks again. "

                                    Lorna - Hackney parent

The Mentoring Lab Training and Development

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Shayanna 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.