Help to Grow: Management Course – Become a mentor and help a small business grow 

The Help to Grow: Management Course was launched to help small and medium-sized businesses boost their performance, resilience and long-term growth.

Participants of the course benefit from both online and in-person workshops, peer networking and one-to-one mentoring.

Enterprise Nation is working with Newable and the Association of Business Mentors (ABM) to recruit a national network of mentors, who will guide participants to apply learnings from the programme.

Could you commit 10 hours over 12 weeks to join this national effort? Would you like to support a small business owner, while boosting your own skills through training from ABM? If so, please become a voluntary mentor.

Who can become a mentor as part of the Help to Grow: Management Course?

To become a mentor, you must:

• have a minimum of five years' experience working in a small business at a senior level (or equivalent experience working closely with small businesses)

• be able to support at least one participant with 10 hours of one-to-one mentoring

• be willing to support mentees on a voluntary basis

• possess strong leadership, management and communications skills

• be based in the UK

In this video, Emma Suckling, mentor relationship adviser for the Help to Grow: Management Course explains how business leaders can join the national effort to help small business owners grow:

What are the benefits of becoming a mentor?

Being a mentor goes far beyond the rewarding feeling of 'giving back'. There are a range of personal development benefits that mentors gain from the experience, including the following:

• Increased self-confidence and self-awareness

• Leadership skills development

• Improved communication skills

• Ability to ask questions and deliver feedback

• Becoming a good listener

• Exposure to new and different perspectives

• Growing a personal network

• Paying it forward

Emma Ellse, one of the voluntary mentors already involved with the course, said:

"The best thing is making a difference. When you get feedback from someone who says that they took note of what you said, tried it, and the outcome has revolutionised the way they're working, it's great.

"It's also about gaining different perspectives; you can build up cross industry knowledge that you wouldn’t get by talking to somebody within your own organisation."

In this video, Pete Stevens, principal trainer for the Help to Grow: Management Course, explains what training business leaders receive to become mentors on the course:

What can I expect from the training?

To help you get the best possible experience from your role as volunteer mentor, the Association of Business Mentors (ABM) has created a unique, interactive, two-hour online workshop that enables both new and experienced mentors to develop the skills needed to be part of the programme.

During the session, you'll:

• practise your values and learning styles

• learn how to question, challenge and 'peel back the layers' to better understand your mentee

• discuss the various roles of a mentor

• explore the key competencies that every mentor must have

• examine a mentor's behavioural options of a mentor

• learn how best to give and receive feedback

There is a small amount of workshop reading before and after each session, plus two leadership style questionnaires.

Simon Fordham, ABM chair, said of the training:

"Those attending (the workshop) have really enjoyed taking part, and have already made contacts as a result of coming together so early in the mentoring process. More importantly, they’ve learnt something new that can be used in mentoring sessions."

In this video, mentor Suzanne Harrison explains how signing up for the Help to Grow: Management Course can really benefit mentors and business owners alike:

In addition to the training, volunteer mentors gain access to the following:

• One-to-one mentoring with a senior and experienced mentor supervisor: To aid your personal development and help you in your role as a mentor.

• Peer group mentoring: Facilitated by an experienced mentor, you're invited to share any challenges with mentees in a confidential, safe environment.

• A dedicated helpline: Should you experience an immediate challenge with a mentee, you can speak to an experienced mentor supervisor, who will help guide you through.

• ABM complimentary services: These include webinars, expert coffee talks, mentor motivation sessions, podcasts, and national and regional meetings.

Once you've successfully completed the training, you'll receive an attendance certificate. Selected mentors on the Help to Grow: Management Course will also have the opportunity to gain a qualification from the ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management).

Want to help a small business grow?

Being a mentor goes far beyond the rewarding feeling of 'giving back'. Mentors gain a range of personal development benefits from the experience.

Become a voluntary mentor for the Help to Grow: Management Course and commit 10 hours over 12 weeks to support businesses with their growth action plan. Sign up today

The national mentoring element of the Help to Grow: Management Course is being delivered by a partnership of Newable, Enterprise Nation and the Association of Business Mentors on behalf of the Department for Business & Trade.