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Leadership Mentoring Programme

For leaders at all levels

Applications are now open for our next Leadership Mentoring Programme, running from October 2026 to March 2027.

The Programme supports people working and volunteering in North Yorkshire’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.

Through six months of one-to-one mentoring, mentees get dedicated time and space to explore challenges, build confidence and develop leadership skills with the support of an experienced, hand-picked mentor.

For mentors, it’s an opportunity to share your experience, support emerging leaders and help strengthen the impact of the sector.

Leadership looks different for everyone

You don’t need to be a Chief Executive or senior manager to benefit hugely from mentoring.

You might be managing a team or project, coordinating volunteers, taking on new responsibilities, preparing for a future leadership role or looking for more confidence in your decision-making.

If you’re helping to create positive change in your organisation or community, this programme could be for you.

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Is this the right programme for me?

  • I’m new to leadership

    As a mentee, you can build confidence and develop your leadership skills.

  • I’m taking on more responsibility

    As a mentee you can gain support and space to think through challenges.

  • I want to help others

    As a mentor, you can share your experience and help develop the next generation of leaders.

Hear from participants

Hear directly from mentors and mentees about their experiences of the programme and the difference it has made to their leadership journey.

Real results

What difference does mentoring make?

Meet our mentors

An older woman with short, light hair smiles indoors. She wears a patterned shirt and light jacket, embodying a sense of leadership and warmth. The background shows home decor, a radiator, and framed pictures on the wall, suggesting an inviting space—perfect for meaningful mentoring conversations.

“Lifelong learning is something I’m passionate about. In my mentoring relationships, it’s been a delight to see people developing into capable and confident leaders.  My career has been long and varied. Being able to share and transfer some of my skills to someone else and help them make choices they didn’t think they had, or were capable of, has given me great pleasure, along with many insights into human behaviours.

“My expertise lies in leadership development and managing change. In my last 10 years as a civil servant, I worked with senior leaders helping them work through organisational issues where they needed to focus on building and refining leadership styles and interpersonal skills to lead, inspire and motivate their teams, very often in times of significant change.

“I’ve been a charity Trustee, mentor and volunteer.  I feel fortunate to have been part of making a difference in the community and understanding clients from different backgrounds with different needs, and the people who have chosen to serve them.

“I worked with Prince Charles’s Charity, PRIME, The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise. This experience led me to setting up my own community interest company focussed on helping people over 50 who left work early, thinking it would be the best thing for them, then became disillusioned and stuck. I helped them make decisions about their future. I was a Trustee for a homeless charity and currently I’m a Trustee with a charity supporting disabled and autistic people to live life well.”

A smiling man with grey curly hair and glasses wears a light pink suit and stands indoors near a window, surrounded by plants and decorative items. His confident presence reflects his experience in leadership and mentoring programmes.

Chris has been working and volunteering in the VCSE sector since 1988 – he loves it! He has been a sexual health worker, volunteer coordinator, trainer, fundraiser, community development specialist, consultant and has managed numerous advice organisations.

Chris is the Chief Executive of the charity Up For Yorkshire, which manages 4 community buildings and provides support to members of the community across a range of employability, wellbeing and support services. In 2024 they dealt with over 42,000 enquiries. Chris chairs numerous partnerships addressing equity and advice, anti-poverty, dementia, and police practices. He is a director of Better Connect and a trustee of Selby Hands of Hope.

Chris has spent years supporting people and organisations to achieve their aspirations. As a life and business coach, he continues to support people with their employability skills, career development and the development of numerous new organisations and services.

Chris loves to laugh, chat, visit charity shops, expand his 1980s record collection and countdown to Christmas.

“With over 30 years’ experience as an HR Director across the public, private and charity sectors, I’ve always been passionate about helping people grow.

“Coaching has been a consistent thread throughout my career. I’ve supported individuals at all levels — from those just starting out to those navigating big transitions — helping them to understand themselves better, build stronger relationships, and move through challenges like performance pressure, change, self-doubt, and career decisions. What drives me is seeing people grow in ways they didn’t think possible.

“Since retiring, I’ve continued coaching and completed a master’s in Women’s Studies at the University of York in 2024, deepening my interest in inclusion and identity. I’m now a trustee for Avocet, an independent visitor, and a volunteer in primary education. Outside of that, I enjoy running, gardening and painting (though not all at once!).”

A man wearing sunglasses and a blue jacket leans on a wooden fence in a forested area, with trees and foliage in the background, embodying the reflective spirit often found in those participating in a Leadership Mentoring programme.

“My name is Neil and as well as being an area manager for volunteers in Yorkshire Ambulance Service, I have been involved as Chair, Trustee and Director with a number of service delivery charities.

“This has included a range of experience in leadership and personal development particularly with small charities that have undertaken the journey from informal to formal structures. We can take a journey of exploration together. So much of what you need will be within yourself.

“I pride myself that many of those who have worked with me have gone on to progress to successful careers in their area of interest.

“All of the organisations I have worked for have faced changing environments with both financial and regulatory challenges. Navigating these successfully needs an understanding of where to place your energies and the new skills that you need to develop for success.

“In all of these experiences knowing yourself first allows you to strive with enjoyment. I hope that you will enjoy our time of growth and exploration together.”

A person with light skin and light brown hair, wearing a white polo-neck jumper and small earrings, smiles softly in front of a plain light green background, embodying the approachable confidence often seen in leadership and mentoring roles.

“I run an award-winning community interest company which I founded to promote community cohesion and engagement.

“My degree in textiles, lead to a career in fashion retailing and manufacturing industry where I gained a graduate diploma in Procurement and Supply (MCIPS). I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and spent a number of years as a secondary school teacher before founding Tadcrafters CIC, becoming a Fellow of the School of Social Entrepreneurs and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

“I have a keen interest in reducing waste, the circular economy and issues related to climate change.”

A person wearing sunglasses, a blue winter jacket, and a beanie is smiling whilst sitting on a snowy rock with mountains and a clear blue sky in the background, embodying the spirit of leadership and adventure found in many successful leadership programmes.

“I have been Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Youth (NYY) since November 2011. As well as supporting young people through 1-to-1 mentoring, community-based youth work around North Yorkshire and other open access support services, NYY owns and operates Carlton Lodge Activity Centre, so I’m really fortunate that my job allows me to combine two of my greatest passions in life – outdoor activities and working with young people.

“Prior to becoming Chief Exec, I had been with NYY for 9 years. Before that, I went straight from college into a 12-year career in local authority leisure services – working up to Assistant Manager. Throughout my time as a student and in leisure services I also worked part-time as a youth worker, based in Ripon. This gave me a great experience of working with young people, from running football sessions to canoeing across Scotland!

“In addition to the day job, in the past I have been involved in my local Parish Council, my son’s rugby league club and was involved with The Clock (latterly Community Works) in Thirsk for 19 years. I’m currently the Chairman of Community First Yorkshire, Company Secretary for The Regional Youth Work Unit and a Board member of Arete Learning Trust. In addition, I’m the VCSE rep of the Children’s Safeguarding Executive, Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee and NYC’s Corporate parenting Group.”

Person with short fair hair wearing a bright yellow jacket and wireless earphones, smiling at the camera outdoors. There is a brick wall and blue sky in the background, capturing a confident moment during their participation in a Leadership Mentoring Programme.

Sally has experience working across business support services, education, third sector and not-for-profit organisations.  She has significant senior leadership experience, holds Trustee roles at a number of organisations, and is a marketing consultant predominantly in education.

An experienced mentor, Sally has worked with individuals to help them progress in their careers, overcome challenging situations and support personal development.

How the programme works

A simple process

  • Apply

    1

  • Training

    2

    Attend an introductory mentor or mentee workshop on 7 October

  • Matching

    3

    We’ll match mentors/mentees based on experience, interests and goals

  • Mentoring

    4

    Mentors and mentees meet approximately six times over a six month period

  • Grow

    5

    Take new skills, ideas and connections back into your organisation

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Share your experience

Become a mentor

Our mentors play a vital role in supporting current and emerging leaders across North Yorkshire’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about listening, sharing experience, asking thoughtful questions and helping someone explore challenges and opportunities from a different perspective.

Our mentors come from a range of backgrounds, including:

  • chief executives and senior leaders
  • trustees and vice-chairs
  • coaches and facilitators
  • marketing and communications professionals
  • former teachers and public sector leaders
  • experienced VCSE staff and volunteers.

The diversity of experiences among our mentors helps us create strong mentoring partnerships and bring fresh perspectives to leadership challenges.

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Top four reasons to become a mentor

  • Make a difference

    Help someone else to thrive in their leadership journey.

  • Share your experience

    Pass on the skills and insights you’ve gained in your career.

  • Develop your own skills

    Strengthen your coaching, listening and leadership skills.

  • Build new connections

    Join a network of leaders supporting the VCSE sector.

Curious to find out more?

To help you explore the programme in more detail, we’re holding an online information session.

Join us on Wednesday 16 September at 2.00pm to find out more about how the programme works, hear how previous participants have benefited and ask any questions you may have.

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Frequently asked questions

Six months, with approximately six mentoring meetings during that time.

Our mentors come from a wide range of organisations and backgrounds in the VCSE sector. They include retired/serial volunteers, current CEOs, Vice Chairs, youth organisations, farming networks, marketing professionals, public sector experience, and individuals who both have and haven’t worked in the VCSE sector their whole careers. We also have former teachers, coaches and mentors from other programmes, and therapists.

The programme is supported by Coaching York, which provides mentor and mentee training. There will be action learning opportunities, enhancement possibilities, and additional training and networking options.

We have seen some incredible results. Many mentees have:

  • Gained greater confidence in decision-making and leadership roles.
  • Strengthened their engagement with boards and governance structures.
  • Experienced career progression, with some securing new roles or preparing for future leadership changes, and others restructuring their teams to improve efficiency and delegation.
  • Increased self-awareness and leadership clarity, resulting in better strategic decision-making.
  • Achieved significant improvements in work-life balance and stress management.
  • Implemented new organisational strategies and introduced structured planning within their workplaces.

It is not just mentees who benefit. Our mentors have developed their own skills, deepened their coaching experience, and even taken mentoring back into their own organisations. The ripple effect of this programme is far-reaching, strengthening leadership across the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector.

Applications now open

Ready to get involved?

Whether you’re looking for support as a leader or want to support someone else’s growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Mentor applications close Friday 18 September

Mentee applications close Friday 25 September

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