Become a mentor

Are you a leader ready to pass on your knowledge to other volunteers? Then why not become a mentor! We caught up with 170th City Of Glasgow Guides leader, Judith, to talk all about this rewarding role.

Q: Why did you want to become a mentor?

A: I’ve been a leader for 17 years and began mentoring not long after I gained my Leadership qualification. I love helping my Brownies and Guides have adventures and seeing them grow in confidence; so the next step was helping new volunteers settle into Girlguiding and to get involved in all the great opportunities on offer.

Q: How would you describe your mentoring style?

A: I make sure new volunteers know they can always contact me with any questions or for advice. I help them break down the leadership qualification into manageable pieces and suggest how to complete them, by sharing unit activity ideas and checking everyone has all the training opportunities they need.

Q: What top tips would you give to new mentors?

A: 1. Make sure you explain things like World Thinking Day. It might seem obvious to you but it isn’t if you’re new. Let leaders in training know there’s no such thing as a silly or obvious question.

2. Help leaders in training gather the evidence they need to gain the Leadership qualification. I help by taking photos of meetings and trips, and gather up programme plans – all great things to include.
3. Introduce new volunteers to as many people in Girlguiding as possible like other volunteers, advisers and other leaders in training in their area so that they can build up a support network and make friends.
4. Let them know where to get information – new volunteers can find out more here. Check that they’re receiving the Girlguiding and Girlguiding Scotland newsletters (and county one if you have it).

Q: How has becoming a mentor helped you as a volunteer?

A: I always pick up new ideas from going to other units to visit leaders in training and helping out at their meetings. Every unit’s different so there are always new activities, games and ways of doing things to learn and try out with your own girls. I’ve also met lots of new people who I can sometimes ask to help me out with my own unit activities.

Q: What would you say to those thinking about becoming a mentor?

A: It’s a great role and I’d recommend it to everybody. It’s fantastic to be at a county event and see a leader you’ve mentored there having a great time with her own unit. Mentoring new leaders is not only rewarding, it’s key in growing the organisation.

Get in touch

Find out everything you need to know about becoming a mentor here.