Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who are the organisations involved in this project?

The four councils involved are: Bradford, Leeds, Kirklees and Wakefield.

Other public sector organisations involved are West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Q. Who is coordinating this project?

A project board involving representatives from the five Councils involved has been set up to oversee the project.

Infrastruct , a leadership & equality consultancy, has been commissioned to set up and run the mentoring project. The two consultants from Infrastruct involved in this project are:
Jo Somerset and Shameem Malik.

Q. What are the likely time commitments?

Participants commit to one mentoring meeting per month for 10 months. In addition, many pairs communicate by text, e-mail or phone in between meetings.

Each mentoring meeting lasts for approximately one hour and 30 minutes at a mutually convenient location, venue and time.

Q. What preparation was needed for the mentor/ mentee role?

There are three stages to prepare for the mentor/ mentee role before holding the first meeting.

1. Briefing sessions

These took place in January 2010 at locations across West Yorkshire. They enabled potential participants to understand what the programme involves and what is required from them to participate.

2. Profiles

All participants completed a short profile. Mentees were then sent all of the mentor profiles, from which they chose whom they would like to work with. The mentor was then sent the profile of their prospective mentee.

3. Training

A one-day training event was held in February 2010, in order for participants to develop relevant skills to undertake the programme.

Q. Could mentees choose who they wanted as a mentor?

Yes. It is not a requirement of this project that a mentee needs to select a mentee like themselves in terms of their identity, work area or from the same local authority employer.

Q. What about confidentiality?

All names of mentors/ mentees are kept confidential throughout the mentoring project. Mentor profiles were sent to all mentees to consider when making their selection of a mentor with a confidentiality clause.

Mentors and mentees are expected to maintain confidentiality throughout the project and after the project has ended.

The evaluation report at the end of the project will also guarantee confidentiality of names of mentors/ mentees . Names will only be used in the report with the consent of the respective mentor/ mentee.

Q. What if I am not ‘out’ to my manager, can I still be involved?

Yes, if you are able to attend the mentoring meetings outside of working hours.

Q. As a mentee what are the benefits for me?

Guidance on career and personal development.
Insight into organisation and managerial culture, broadening perspectives.
Increase decision-making , problem solving, planning and analytical skills.
Improve motivation and determination.
Develop greater self-confidence and interpersonal skills.
Opportunity to expand own networks.
Opportunity to discuss LGBT and other equality and diversity issues in the workplace.
Accepting responsibility for own development.

Q. As a mentor what are the benefits for me?

Broadening perspectives and develop skills and experience in mentoring.
Opportunity to evaluate own skills and opinions as well as management/leadership styles.
Become more self-analytical.
Opportunity to expand own networks
Opportunity to discuss LGBT and other equality and diversity issues in the workplace.
Personal satisfaction from assisting in the development of the mentee.

Q. What are the organisational benefits?

Positive impact in enabling organisations to advance their equality objectives and work towards a better representation of our communities in the workforce.
Effective mentoring is one of the best tools for building diversity.
May increase employee satisfaction, retention and improved productivity.
Reflects an investment in employee development and may increase employee commitment and loyalty.
Contributes to the development of partnerships and knowledge transfer that may be useful to the organisation in the future.

Q. Who is funding this mentoring project?

Yorkshire and Humber Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership has awarded funding to five councils in West Yorkshire to run this equality mentoring project.

Project delivered by: Infrastruct Project funded by: Yorkshire and Humber Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership.