Become a Mentee on our Patient Group Mentoring Programme
We welcome any and all rare disease patient group advocates to apply to join the programme as a mentee. The ideal mentee must be motivated and have a clear idea of what they want to achieve on the programme.
Applications open 18th March – 15th April
Why should you apply to be a mentee?
Access free exclusive training
Interact with fellow leaders
Gain exposure to new ideas
Boost your self-confidence
Access new areas of expertise
Develop personal strengths
Receive advice and encouragement
Expand your network
Take on new challenges
What could you acheive?
Here are just some of the acheivements made by previous mentees while on the programme:
- Registered as a charity
- Started a natural history study
- Created a patient registry
- Launched fundraising and communications campaigns
- Started a patient helpline
- Established a medical advisory board
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from a previous mentee, Carol Brill!
If you are a motivated patient group leader who is looking to take your organisation to the next level or is trying to make progress on a project that currently seems out of reach – the mentoring programme could be the answer.
Our mentors have a wide range of skills from charity management, to life sciences, communications and more.
Whatever vision you have for your patient group, we will endeavour to find you the right mentor who can help you to achieve your goals.
What’s expected of Mentees?
A constructive mentoring relationship is a mutually beneficial learning experience.
A mentee is someone seeking advice and guidance from a mentor, in order to achieve key objectives within their patient organisation.
The success of the mentoring partnership will depend significantly on the attitude and commitment of the individual being mentored. It is their responsibility to make things happen and put any agreed plans into action.
To make the most out of the programme mentees must meet the below expectations and requirements.
Mentees must…
- Maintain active contact with their mentors, dedicating a minimum of an hour a month to updating them on progress
- Have a clear understanding of the mission and vision of their group and of what they want to achieve on the programme
- Actively listen to their mentor, question to clarify and to explore additional options and consequences
- Follow up and action relevant and reasonable suggestions
- Where applicable, update fellow team members and/or their board of trustees on mentoring progress and any related actions
- Participate in 3 check in calls with Beacon and their mentor, spread throughout the programme
- Attend the training events at the beginning of the programme, or commit to catching up on them
- Attend the opening and closing events
New deposit scheme
We are introducing a new deposit scheme for mentees on the 2024-2025 Patient Group Mentoring Programme. Upon successful acceptance into the programme, a refundable deposit of £50 will be required. This initiative has been designed to enhance the mentoring experience while ensuring commitment and accountability among all participants.
How does it work?
Upon successful acceptance into the mentoring programme, a refundable deposit of £50.00 to Beacon will be required. This deposit must be received within 10 days of notification to secure your place. Failure to do so may result in your place being offered to another applicant.
Upon receipt, your deposit will be confirmed and held securely by Beacon throughout your participation in the programme. Additionally, we are offering a 14-day cooling off period following deposit payment, during which time you may withdraw from the programme and receive a full refund.
If you want more information on why we have implimented a deposit scheme please read our blog post here.
Deposits will be refunded under the following circumstances:
- Mentees who complete the first 6 months of the programme and actively participate in the initial round of check-in calls (typically conducted at the 4-month mark) will receive a full refund of £50.00.
- Mentees who proceed up to the first round of check-in calls – but do not continue further – will recive a 75% refund on their depost.
- Mentees who are unable to participate or continue in the programme due to complications with their mentor will receive a full refund of £50.00.
Please note that deposits will not be returned to mentees who withdraw from the programme without notice or before the 4-month stage, except in cases of extenuating circumstances involving either the mentor or the programme.
Check out what last years mentees thought of the programme…
100%
Would recommend the mentoring programme
100%
Said their mentor had ‘a substantial or significant impact on their overall progress and professional development’
100%
Enjoyed participating in the programme
Apply to be a mentee!
but read this first…
It is the mentee’s responsibility to approach the mentor when they need support and to achieve the objectives set. It is not the mentor’s responsibility to take on projects on behalf of the mentee as a volunteer, or to take responsibility for making the mentee’s work successful. The role of the mentor is to offer guidance.
If you can commit to these requirements fill out your application form below and apply to be a mentee!
While we endeavour to include every mentee and mentor who applies, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find everyone a suitable partner.
If we are unable to match up a mentee and/or mentor at the launch of the programme, we will keep your information on file for up to six months in case a suitable partner can be found.
Please read the terms and conditions before completing your application:
Submit your application here: