Mentor a Little Londoner today
Give back with The Kids Network by volunteering to become a positive role model for a Little Londoner. Mentoring has never been so important: join us and you’ll be making a difference to a child’s life by helping them build their confidence and resilience, and develop the tools for a positive future.
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BECOME A MENTOR
We work with children aged 8-11 who could benefit from more social and emotional support, giving them access to positive experiences in their community outside the school setting.
You will be trained to provide safe, fun and engaging mentoring support. Sessions will be weekly and will last 1-3 hours over the course of one year. You’ll focus on the individual needs of the child, supporting them during a crucial stage in their social and emotional development.
Our volunteers come from all over London.
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what it takes
Whether you had a beautiful upbringing and want to support others who aren’t as lucky, or you have lived experience of challenges, we’re sure you appreciate how important it is to have a safe, fun and consistent environment to grow up in.
As a mentor, you can help make sure a child experiences personal support. You can share your learned and lived experiences to help a Little Londoner develop at a critical time in their lives. Our mentors witness the impact that one stable, consistent relationship can have on the life of a young person going through a transitional or unsettled time. Your time and empathy can make a real difference.
We celebrate the fact that our community reflects the breadth of experiences and identities that make London great. London is home to a proud mix of cultures, but that can lead to further isolation for children growing up, as they try to navigate this cultural cross-section and find their place.
This is where you can help.
Thanks to him I know I’m a much better teacher and dad.
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Our children’s identity characteristics inform our mentor recruitment. This means you’ll be uniquely qualified to support your mentee. You understand their challenges, their environment and their reference points. This personalised approach means you can make an impact like no one else.
What you’ll need to give:
60 hours of child-led, one-to-one mentoring in the community
This is a year-long mentoring programme
Interest, listening skills and empathy are key to form a connection
WHAT you get
While mentoring is absolutely about supporting your mentee, our mentors also report a lasting positive impact in their own lives. Those who were feeling lonely, isolated or untethered find themselves with someone who relies upon them, as well as a network of fellow mentors. You’ll experience new things as your mentees guide what you do together, and find yourself growing outside your comfort zone.
Our cohort of mentor volunteers also go on their own journeys through the programme. A majority of our mentors report that mentoring helped them professionally and personally. Many progress their career after taking on all the learning experiences they could.
This is a volunteering opportunity that creates positive ripples through yours and your mentee’s life.
What you’ll get:
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Up to 30 hours of free training and development
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Monthly budget for sessions
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Safeguarding support throughout the year
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Child participation workshops
Group mentoring sessions in the community
A new network of friends in fellow mentors
Access to our mentoring platform full of resources and peer-learning
Year-round coaching and support from a dedicated Programme Manager
A Badge of Excellence Certificate in Child Participation
FAQ's
A: No, you don't need any previous mentoring experience. We'll give you all the training, guidance and ongoing support you need before you're matched with a child so you feel more than ready before starting.
A: You'll spend around 1–3 hours a week with your mentee for one year. In total, that's around 60 hours of one-to-one mentoring, plus your initial training.
A: Consistency is one of the most important parts of mentoring. Building trust takes time, so we ask mentors to commit for a year to give children a stable, reliable relationship they can count on.
A: Yes! Most mentoring sessions take place outside school hours and can fit around work or other commitments, on evenings or weekends. You'll just need to be available for one daytime meeting when you're first introduced to your mentee.
A: If you care about young people, are willing to listen and can commit your time, you could make a fantastic mentor. We welcome people from all backgrounds and provide training to help you feel confident. You will also have a dedicated point of contact throughout the whole year who will be able to support you if you have any questions, issues or concerns.
A: We take time and great care when it comes to matching. Our approach is child-led,meaning we first speak with each child about what they are looking for in a mentor, we then look for points of connection, considering things like personality, shared interests and lived experience to find the best possible fit and create a positive mentoring relationship.
A: You'll receive training before you start, regular check-ins with your Programme Manager, safeguarding support and access to a community of other mentors throughout the year. We don’t just leave you to it once you’ve had training, our support is ongoing until you finish!
A: Every mentoring journey is different, but many mentors tell us it's one of the most rewarding things they've ever done. Alongside making a difference to a child's life, many build new skills, confidence and lasting friendships.
A: Becoming a mentor can vary quite a bit from person to person, but typically takes around 3-4 months. The process includes your application, a short online interview, an in-person training day, and DBS and reference checks, followed by carefully matching you with the right child. The DBS check is often the longest part of the process and can take up to 8 weeks, so the sooner it is submitted the better! We will keep you updated throughout so you always know where you are in the process.
A: You’ll need to live or work in London so you can meet your mentee in person every week. We currently run our mentoring programmes across 11 London boroughs, so it’s best if your home or workplace is within easy travelling distance of one of the areas we support. These include: Brent, Camden, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Lambeth, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Westminster.
A: We'll review your application and aim to get back to you within 72 hours. If you're successful, you'll be invited to book an interview and begin the next steps!
A: Yes. All mentors complete a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process. We arrange this for you and cover the cost.
A: Yes. Training is an important part of becoming a mentor and helps you feel confident before you're matched with a child.
A: Once you've completed your training and all your checks are finished, we'll carefully match you with a child who could benefit from your support. We aim to do this within four weeks of training where possible. However, during the school holidays this may take longer. Your Programme Manager will keep you posted if there are any delays.
A: No. We reimburse your travel costs, and you'll also receive a monthly budget of £35 to use for activities with your mentee.
A: You won't be doing this on your own. You'll have a dedicated Programme Manager, access to resources and a community of other mentors to support you throughout your mentoring journey. We’re here at all times to answer any questions or concerns you might have!
Apply now and we can train you on the rest.
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