Contact

FAQs

For young people

What's the difference between mentoring and coaching?

Great question! There ‘s significant overlap and both a coach and mentor will be looking to support a young person as much as possible. A coach may follow a very specific programme and look to take elements of a young person’s life and enhance those. The Oxford English Dictionary describes a mentor as ‘an experienced and trusted advisor’. I certainly use my many years’ experience to respond to a young person in the moment and work together to best support them in their journey forward. My work can be flexible and responsive because of that.

My main mentoring days during term time are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3.30 pm onwards. I am also available on Saturday mornings. However, I really do understand the demands of a busy family life and will do my best to fit in with other commitments.

I always suggest an initial chat with families before any decisions are made about mentoring. Once that decision has been made, I send out a welcome pack which covers all the practical details about the sessions and hopefully, answers any outstanding questions. 48 hours before a session, I will also send the meeting link. After the session, I email any support materials and feedback for parents. The sessions are online and 1:1 with a young person.

We may use paper and pens depending on what we’ll be talking about but I will always let you know in plenty of time.

We may use paper and pens depending on what we’ll be talking about but I will always let you know in plenty of time.

It’s preferable for a young person to have some space to focus of these sessions on their own with me. Every situation is different though, and I am always happy to discuss these details so that everyone is comfortable.

However, it is extremely important that an adult is in the house while these sessions are happening in case of emergency.

I will always try to accommodate any change of date as I fully understand that family life can be complex!

Inkpots’ mentoring is for young people age 11 plus years.

Definitely. I follow up all sessions after one month and six months. A young person’s challenges often don’t disappear overnight and sometimes it helps to have a quick check in.

I am always happy to discuss spreading the cost and we can do so at the time of booking.

I don’t set homework as such as it’s not appropriate for these kinds of session. But if a young person is keen to try something out or there are some actions which we feel might help, then these will be suggested, and we can check in during the next session.

Yes indeed. ‘Sounding board sessions’ are ideal for this purpose.

If I am doing work in a school, then you will need to speak to your child’s Head of Year or Pastoral Leader as they will be my point of contact.

I do a lot of work at The Burgess Hill Academy so if your child is elgible for support there, staff from the Academy will be in touch. But I do also offer private mentoring sessions. Please see the information on the pages for young people. 

Mentoring in schools

We would like to book your services but our school's business manager needs information from you. Can you help?

Yes, absolutely. I have a lot of experience of working in various settings includings MATs. I have an information pack I can send to your business manager.

Communication is the most important thing. Again, my experience has helped me develop a system which means I ask for the minimum of support but as long as the guidelines I provide are followed, should work well for all involved. Any staff members I will be working with also receive an information pack.

This is so important. I have included details which can be shared with parents in the information pack for staff.

Mentoring for adults

I am not totally sure what kind of mentoring would be best for me – can I talk to you first?

I always thing this is such a good idea. We can have a chat at a time which suits us both so that we can explore all the possibilities. There’s no obligation to a chat like this or a charge.

I send a welcome pack out to all new clients at least 48 hours before a session – more, if we have the time. You will also receive the meeting link at this time too.

After our mentoring time together, I will send you a set of notes and resources. Then there will be a chance to see how you are progressing when I get in touch after a month. I’ll also do a quick check in after six months.

Get in Touch