How does the programme work?

The patient group mentoring programme runs on an annual basis for a 12-month period.

The programme kicks off with a month of onboarding. During this stage mentees and mentors will attend training to help them prepare for the scheme.

Once this is complete the mentoring pairs will be introduced. Their partnership will start by setting a series of SMART goals together which they will work towards for the next 12 months.

The programme at a glance

Stage one – Onboarding

In 2023 we introduced a one-month onboarding process for the mentoring programme. It was highly successful with the cohort reporting that it helped them feel more prepared for the scheme as a whole. Therefore we have decided to repeat it for the 2024 programme.

The onboarding involves training sessions for both mentees and mentors to equip them with the skills they need to make the most out of the programme.

Training topics

Strategy

The training will cover:

  • How to develop a clear mission and vision for your organisation
  • Tools to develop strategy based on Mission and Vision statements (Strategy map and balanced scorecard approach)
  • How to set and measure objectives based on this

This training is for mentees and will look at the importance of having a clear mission and vision for your organisation and how to use them to set clear objectives.

It will be led by Costello Medical and the Beacon team.

Project management

The training will cover:

  • How to approach a new project
  • How to manage time and resources
  • Tools to help scope, plan and evaluate future projects

This training session is for mentees, to give them the skills they need to be able to hit the ground running once their SMART goals are set.

It will be a project management training focusing on prioritisation and methods to create feasible plans for projects linked to the organisations strategy.

It will be led by Costello Medical.

Coaching and leadership

The training will cover:

  • How to approach the partnership and get into the ‘mentoring mindset’
  • How to structure discussions and support the mentee to utilise your skill set
  • Tools to identify your mentees needs (including the confidence/competence matrix)
  • How to give feedback in a positive and constructive manor

This training session is for mentors to give them the skills they need to start their mentoring partnership with confidence. It will be led by Coaching Consultant Flóra Raffai.

Alongside the training it will also be an opportunity to connect with your fellow mentors on the cohort. 

Mental health and resilience

This training will cover:

  • How to build resilience
  • Avoiding burnout
  • Boundary setting

This training session is open to both mentees and mentors. It will focus on how to prioritise your mental health in these increasingly challenging times.

The session will be led by mental health experts Rareminds.

Partnerships

Beacon review all of the applicants and assign mentees with mentors based on their respective needs, preferences and skills as identified in their application forms.

Once the training period is over, Beacon will introduce the mentoring pairs who will then work together for the remainder of the programme.

Once paired, partners will work together to set SMART objectives for the programme and finalise them with the support from Beacon. They are then left to work together to achieve these goals under their own steam.

To get the most out of the programme pairs are expected to meet for a minimum of an hour a month – virtually or in person – to update on progress, work through challenges, express ideas and set new tasks.

Throughout the year, Beacon will hold three rounds of calls to check-up on progress and offer support. The calls will be scheduled for every four months.

Opportunities to connect

Previous cohorts have emphasised how beneficial they found being able to connect with members of the programme beyond their mentoring partner.

In response to this we have introduced even more ways to meet with your fellow mentees and mentors!

In person-events

Exciting opportunites to meet your partner and connect with the rest of the cohort.

Programme wide meet-ups

Virtual meet-ups will be organised throughout the programme where the cohort will have the opportunity to network, share news and ask for advice from the other mentees and mentors.

Exclusive Facebook group

Participants in the programme will get access to a Facebook group where the cohort can ask questions and update each other in their own time.