Co-mentoring scheme information
AoC matches applicants with a partner to co-mentor each other over a period of 6 months.
This is a pilot scheme, made possible by London funder City Bridge Foundation, so it is initially focusing on London-based chairs (that is if you or your charity are based in Greater London or serve Greater London). You do not have to be a member of AoC.
Having a co-mentor to talk to outside of your organisation provides a helpful reflective space to talk through your experiences as a chair, be listened to by someone who has a valuable perspective to share, sound out new ideas and learn about different approaches. Read more on the benefits of co-mentoring.
If you need any support with the application process please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].
How the scheme works
AoC will match you with another chair (or vice-chair) to work together over a period of 6 months and provide you with guidance on how to make it work. We recommend you have monthly meetings together. These meetings could happen virtually or in person. AoC will keep in touch with you during the mentoring relationship period for feedback and there will be an evaluation form at the end.
AoC’s approach to mentoring
The scheme follows a co-mentoring approach, whereby a space is created for both parties to listen to and mentor each other. This is a development partnership through which both parties share experience, perspectives, and insight to support the development of the other. Co-mentoring recognises that, whatever your experience, you both have something to offer and something to learn, in contrast to a more traditional and hierarchical approach of mentor and mentee. You may be able to learn from things you have in common or from difference. For example an older, highly experienced chair might value fresh perspectives from a younger, more inexperienced chair. Co-mentors from different ethnic, cultural, or sectoral backgrounds may also have much to offer each other. Our application form asks you what you’d value in a mentor and what you’d like to contribute.
It is a great opportunity for both parties to develop and build on coaching and active listening skills, get insight into different perspectives on chairing and be introduced to new ideas and ways of doing things.
How do I apply?
Please sign up via our online application form. We ask you to share some background on yourself, your organisation, what you bring to your role as chair (including wider professional and lived experience) and what your challenges are. We also ask what you are looking for in a mentor and what you’d like to offer. This information helps us to identify suitable matches.
Application process
We have three different intakes through the year. The application form is open for you to complete when you like and we make mentoring matches from our pool of applicants in the following months:
- February (for any applications made between October and January)
- May (for any applications made between February and April)
- October (for any applications made between May and September)
When will I hear back?
The length of time may vary as this is a pilot scheme and a personal matching service. Your application will be reviewed by our scheme coordinator, Lally Pearson, and she’ll be in touch as soon as she can. We make co-mentoring matches in February, May and October, so your application will be considered with a proposed match in the matching month nearest to your application date.
If you have a query about the mentoring scheme please email [email protected]
In the meantime, find out more about our support for London chairs, including our in-person support sessions, our London newsletter, and our London LinkedIn group.