Become a Mentee
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 until the 19th of December
If you’re a motivated patient group leader ready to take your organisation to the next level, or seeking guidance to move forward with a project that feels just out of reach, Beacon’s mentoring programme could be just what you need.
Our mentors bring a wealth of experience across areas such as charity leadership, life sciences, communications, fundraising, and beyond.
Whatever your vision for your patient group, we’ll work with you to find the right mentor to support your goals, share their expertise, and help you turn your ambitions into reality.
Why apply to be a mentee?
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Get one-to-one support from an experienced mentor who understands your challenges.
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Build confidence and develop practical leadership skills.
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Gain fresh perspective and guidance on your goals or projects.
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Connect with others and grow your network within the rare disease community.
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Make real progress with ongoing support from Beacon throughout the year.
What could you achieve?
Here are just some of the amazing things previous mentees have accomplished through the programme:
- Registered their organisations as charities
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Started natural history studies
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Created patient registries
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Launched successful fundraising and communications campaigns
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Set up patient helplines
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Established medical advisory board
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from a previous mentee, Carol Brill!
What’s expected of Mentees?
A great mentoring relationship is a two-way learning experience where both people can grow.
As a mentee, you’ll be looking for advice and guidance from your mentor to help you achieve important goals within your patient group.
The success of your mentoring journey will really depend on your attitude and commitment. It’s up to you to take the lead, follow through on your plans, and make things happen.
To get the most out of the programme, we ask that mentees meet the expectations and requirements below.
Mentees must…
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Stay in regular contact with your mentor, aiming for at least an hour a month to share updates and progress.
- Understand that your mentor is there to guide and advise, not to take on your projects or do the work for you.
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Be clear on your group’s mission, vision, and what you want to achieve through the programme.
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Listen actively, ask questions, and explore new ideas or approaches with your mentor.
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Follow up on advice and take action on practical suggestions.
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Keep your team or board updated on mentoring progress and any relevant actions, where relevant.
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Take part in three check-in calls with Beacon and your mentor throughout the year.
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Attend the programme’s opening and closing events.
Apply here!
Please read the terms and conditions before completing your application:
Submit your application here:
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.
Deposit
Upon successful acceptance into the programme, a refundable deposit of £100 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 £100.00 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.
Deposit refund conditions:
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The full deposit will be returned if you complete the programme, staying in contact with your mentor and Beacon and taking part in the final check-in call.
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If you need to withdraw due to extenuating circumstances or challenges that prevent full participation, you may be eligible for a partial or full refund, but only if you notify Beacon.
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Deposits will not be refunded if you withdraw without contacting Beacon or if you go out of contact for more than one month.
For more information, please view the deposit section on our T&Cs.