Peer Group Mentoring

Our peer groups are:

• LGBTQ+
• Physical and Mental Health
• Returners to Academia

These groups are intended to offer a safe space; we therefore ask everyone to treat the group and anything that is discussed within the group as confidential. Please do read Our Safeguarding Policy and the Code of Conduct for our mentoring schemes. Groups are small to ensure everyone feels they are able to contribute and offers sufficient time for each person to address their concerns. The peer group will meet for one hour every two months for a period of 12 months. You will need access to a PC/laptop/ mobile device to participate in webinars but will not need to download additional software. The first meeting is designed to introduce the scheme, identify common challenges and the things you would like to focus on as a group. The remainder of the meetings will focus more on the aspects that you agree between you as a peer group.

You can apply for one of these groups here.

LGBTQ+

This peer group is for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ You may have shared this within your workplace, you may feel unable or do not wish to do so. The peer group is open to everyone regardless of your career stage, your gender or where in the world you might be. All meetings will take place via webinar, but please note, our mentors are based in Europe and the US and we’ll therefore host meetings within mid to late afternoon UK working hours. The peer group offers 3 mentors who identify as LGBTQ+ and we have spaces for up to 8 mentees.

Physical and Mental Health

This peer group is for anyone who manages a medical, physical or mental health condition. You may have already disclosed your condition and be managing this openly within your workplace or you may yet feel unable to do so. The peer group is open to everyone regardless of your career stage, your gender or where in the world you might be. All meetings will take place via webinar, but please note, our mentors are based in the UK and we’ll therefore host meetings within reasonable European working hours. The peer group offers three mentors with experience of managing of physical and mental health conditions in the workplace. We have spaces for up to 8 mentees.

Returners to Academia

This peer group is for anyone making a return to academia regardless of the reasons you have taken a break. You may be coming back after children, your own health or caring for others health, or any other reason. It is open to everyone regardless of your career stage, your gender or where in the world you might be. All meetings will take place via webinar, but please note, our mentors are based in the UK and Netherlands and we’ll therefore host meetings within reasonable European working hours. The peer group offers two mentors who have already made the return and feel able to share their experiences and upto 8 other group mentees.

Please do get in touch with Karen Devine if you have suggestions for other groups you would like to be a part of or think would support our members.