mentoring platform
Connecting midwifery students, midwives, maternity support workers and maternity care assistants seeking guidance with experienced mentors who can support personal and professional growth
Launched by the RCM in collaboration with the Turning the Tide Oversight Group to support global majority midwives and MSWs in their career development. The mentoring programme brings together experienced NHS professionals from inside and outside maternity services, and from different leadership and management positions, as mentors.
1. Self-awareness /mindfulness
Be Self-aware of yourself, situation and your mentee who is on their own unique journey
Be in tune to the mentee that you are supporting
2. Clear goals, objectives and boundaries
Establish clear goals for the session, their career,
Set clear objectives and boundaries from the beginning
3. People, personality, power dynamics and cultural awareness
Be aware of yourself and your own personality and power dynamics while also helping the mentee to be aware/minful of those in their lives and career
4. Sharing knowledge, skills and experience
Key part of the mentorship process
Share your knowledge and let the mentee share theirs.
Answwer questions – Help them understand how you managed your situations
5. Strategic awareness and thinking
Help your mentee to become aware of where they are, where they sit in their career as a midwife/MSW/MCA.
Help them become strategic thinkers so that they can manuever themselves forward in their career
6. Active listening and powerful questioning
Being present, digging deep, helping the mentee think about who they are, what they are, how they’re doing and how they can move forward
7. Action planning –
what actions are the mentee willing to take, help them be accountable, follow up on progress of actions set
8. Flexibility in your approach
Everybody that you mentor will be different. Its not a one size fits all approach
Adapt and adjust
9. Development opportunities: networking, skills learning, shadowing, introductions etc
Mentee wanting to flourish either in the role that they are in or the next role on the horizon
Think about networking oppos, etc that they could be thinking about and where you can help them
10. Reflecting / ongoing development and learning
Theirs as a mentee, yours through the mentoring process
1. What are your goals?
What is it that you want to achieve from your career overall and what do you want to achieve from the mentoring session itself
2. Plan and prepare for sessions
Think about what you want to cover, come with notes and questions
Be ready, whether in person or virtual – be on time, be prompt
3. Know your boundaries
Understand what you are or are no willing to discuss – know your boundaries and stick to them
4. Ask good question and listen closely – learn from your mentor
Any question that relates to you, your career, your mentor, any challenges they may have faced in life/career can be valuable
Use the opportunity to learn from your mentor and listen closely
5. Ask for opportunities if/as appropriate to shadow, attend meetings and introductions
Don’t be afraid to ask if appropriate
6. Be proactive, follow up and do your homework
Ensure you complete any tasks set during the session and in time for the next!
7. Always book in time of the next session(s)
Book in the time for your next session!
Especially if being mentored by someone senior/more experienced that may have a busy schedule
Be proactive and don’t be afraid to chase if needed
Prepare: Remember to prepare your goals/story in advance
Introductions: Start with a 2–3 minute introduction first from mentor and then mentee
Your goals/hopes: Set out your goals, hopes (overall and for mentoring)
Do and Don’ts: expectations and boundaries
Confidentiality and safety: it’s important that you both agree to this
Practicalities/logistics: Where, when, how often etc
Date of next meeting: Always agree this even if you need to change it at a later date
Top tip: Be yourself, positive body language, be present and engaged
Scan the QR code to access more information about the RCM mentoring platform
Mentor testimony
The most rewarding part of the experience was seeing my mentee grow in confidence and skills, knowing that our conversations made a real impact. It was inspiring to witness their progress and celebrate their achievements together.
