SMN: Online National Event

This half day event will bring the SMN members together for online networking and learning opportunities. The theme of this year's conference is 'Reflections'. The programme will be confirmed nearer the time, however we can confirm the following elements:

• Keynote Speaker David Clutterbuck, author of many books on mentoring and coaching, and co-founder of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
• Breakout sessions
• Audience Polls & Interaction

The event will take place via Zoom, the details of which will be confirmed once delegates have completed their bookings. We encourage the delegates to get in touch with Scottish Mentoring Network if you have any questions about using Zoom. Places at the event are free and can be registered at Eventbrite. 

The event will start at 9:30am and end no later than 12:10pm.

SMN will be sending some pre-event information in the post, and so we will be requesting that you send us the address of your current workplace (which we understand may be your home address). We will only store your address for the purposes of sending you these materials and will delete this information as soon as your materials have been sent out.

On the day we will be tweeting about the event so please get involved with us on social media using the hashtags #SMNNational21 #SMNReflectionsConf. We will also be recording some parts of the session so if you would prefer not to be captured then you can turn off your camera, however we wish to encourage all our delegates to keep their cameras turned on for the duration of the conference.

The booking form on the registration will allow you to let us know if you have any access requirements. We will be in touch nearer the time to give you the Zoom meeting information.

• Mentoring Activism: what social movements can teach us about developing Mentoring programmes

Synopsis: In this session, I will introduce some key ideas from my recent paper Applying the lens of Social Movements to Coaching and Mentoring, about how activism and organising based on the social movement literature can help us develop our mentoring schemes and reconnect our stakeholders with our scheme’s purpose. Whether you run a charity, community or organisational mentoring scheme this session offers new ways of thinking about and practical suggestions for: organising, using our networks, rallying supporters and detractors and articulating the change at the root of our mentoring initiatives.

Dr Judie Gannon, International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies, Oxford Brookes Business School, Oxford Brookes University.

• Mentoring as a solution to the poverty-attainment gap in Scotland: a review of the evidence

Synopsis: Commissioned by the Robertson Trust, this review examines the evidence on the effectiveness of mentoring programmes for children and young people living in poverty. Specifically, the review examines existing UK-based evidence on where, when, how and with whom mentoring programmes work best. A key aim of the review was also to identify gaps in evidence, policy and practice regarding the landscape of mentoring provision in Scotland.https://scottishmentoringnetwork.co.uk/assets/downloads/resources/617aa9ba12864-povertyalliancementoringandtutoringreviewfinalv2.pdf

Laura Robertson, The Poverty Alliance

• The Implementation of “Attain”: A mentoring scheme for care experienced young people, those at risk of care and young carers in Renfrewshire A report produced for Aberlour and Renfrewshire Council

Synopsis: The Aberlour Attain mentoring scheme was introduced in Renfrewshire to support the educational attainment of young people with care experience, those at risk of care experience and young carers. This project was recently externally evaluated by Stirling University. This workshop will explore some of the conclusions of the evaluation report and invite participants to discuss the recommendations. https://scottishmentoringnetwork.co.uk/q/files/604a8be8e56c8-Attain%20Evaluation%20Report%202020.pdf

Lorna Farmer, Aberlour Attain

• Reflexive Mentors, Reflexive Mentees: Mentor Perspectives of Aspiring & Inspiring Cyclical Mentoring in IMN

Synopsis: The Intergenerational Mentoring Network (IMN) works towards equality of educational outcomes for young people based in Glasgow. Researchers, teachers and local communities collaborate to inform one-to-one mentoring to minimise social-class differences in attainment. The benefits of mentoring for mentees are well documented, but how do mentors themselves experience intergenerational mentoring? How does mentoring impact mentors? Narrative interviews with twenty-five mentors show that a reflexive approach to mentoring is key to developing successful mentor-mentee support and wider mentoring networks. Join us to discuss ‘cyclical mentoring’ and the benefits of promoting a reflexive approach to mentoring evaluation, future development and how to better support volunteer mentors.

Emily Mann, Intergenerational Mentoring Network

• Mentoring for Children in Care and Leaving Care

Synopsis: Research has shown that the needs of young people in care are often complex. While these professional supports, such as psychology or social work, will be required, research has shown that the availability of informal social support from a trusted adult can also make a significant difference. Our research has found that a supportive growth promoting relationship with an adult mentor has the potential to enable young people in care to cope better and indeed thrive. In this workshop, we present our research findings and facilitate participants to reflect on the messages for policy and practice arising from our research.

Bernadine Brady, Caroline MacGregor, Patrick Dolan

• Exploring Reverse Mentoring; “Win-Win” Relationships in The Multi-Generational Workplace

In this workshop we will be exploring the dynamics and potential of reverse mentoring, using the findings of this research paper. We will use this as an opportunity to pose the question, “What can we now do, and where does it now take us?”

Ian Browne

The deadline for booking a place at this event is 12 noon on the 3rd of December. 

Follow the link below to register for your free place at Eventbrite: