Prompt 3

Remember it is your blog and within the ‘Blog Link’ are a repeat of the prompts and these prompts are used to help you explore your role and understanding of the impact of the mentoring role.

On concluding this time in the Mentor Mansion, you should finally reflect (think about) your role within your organisation, your relationship with the mentee and then use the blog to comment, consider or think about:

· how your role added to the comfort of the learner in discussing issues,

· any evidence of commitment by both yourself and the mentee,

· how did you influence commitment, if you could at all

· how the mentee worked within the team

·

· how the combination of the other ‘rooms’ within the Mentor Mansion helped or not

· did your role help or hinder the promotion of a partnership between you and the mentee

A quick reminder you may not cover all the sections; it’s your thoughts and experiences that are important.

If you wish to download the prompts then they are available in pdf format or word format.

Prompt 2

In the SWOT analysis remember prompts are used as guides, to ensure you consider the appropriate path.

However, the work is achieved in your own way, using your thoughts and experiences.

You simply use the grid to explore your SWOT analysis and add this information to your blog.

Consider the following as prompts;

· Time management - for example structure of day and service demands

· Good practice opportunities - for example something your area does well

· Service Demands, - for example things that have to be done and therefore are essential

· In-house training opportunities, any training sessions policies, procedures or government guidelines that are being implemented

· Other support mechanism that can help mentee see how service works, both internally and externally

Again you may not cover all the sections; it’s your thoughts and experiences that are important.

If you wish to download the prompts then they are available in pdf format or word format.

Prompts 1

We are aware of the difficulties that can be experienced for those working in workplace settings and this site part of the ‘SMART’ project should be used to reduce receptiveness and provide insight into what your mentee is actually doing.

The Mentor Mansion ‘Blog’ is your blog it is your journey and within the blog link there are a series of prompts and these prompts are used to help you develop your skills and to demonstrate to you your own journey. It is hoped that the blog will provide you with a record, direction and focus.

A Series of prompts are used to help you achieve mentorship certification; evaluation comes via submission of your blog postings. This information is repeated in the blog in more detail.

Prompts are used as guides, to ensure you consider the appropriate path. But achievement is accomplished in your own way, using your thoughts and experiences. To help you achieve this consider the following prompts posed as questions:

What do you want the mentee to gain from this experience?

What would you like to see happen in your sessions with the mentee?

What is suggested is that there should be a minimum of 3 meetings per semester

· Initial- planning stage

· Intermediate- where you check plans

· Final- where you evaluate plans

How could you make the relationship between you and the mentee work?

How can this process of mentorship help the mentee to:

· learn

· develop good practice

· understand the organisation

These prompts which were posed as question are not fully exhausted and it is your thoughts and experiences that are important, not simply ticking items off a list.

If you wish to download the prompts then they are available in pdf format or word format.

Welcome to Mentor Mansion

Welcome to the Mentor Mansion Blog

The team would like to welcome you to the blog site of ‘Mentor Mansion’. This area is run as part of a support mechanism for you the mentor. The purpose of this blogging site is to help you record your experiences and help with the mentoring of your student. As the title indicates this is an opportunity to look at some elements of mentoring and in doing so help you to develop a clearer understanding of this subject.

If you are viewing this blog, you are first considering how this will work for you. As you left the ‘Mansion’ a series of prompts are provided to help you focus on tasks to enhance your experiences with students. By responding to those prompts, usually in words (100-400) or diagrams the ‘Mansion’ staff can help develop both the programme and your support mechanisms.

This site belongs to all those who participate in this programme and therefore you can also contribute to its content. Using your blog you can alert others to changes that affect your service area and your identified group. By adding to your page you will demonstrate your own learning, provide feedback on the ‘mansion’ and most importantly, let us know if you are having any difficulties. We look forward to supporting you in the Semester and hope that you will enjoy this experience.

The ‘Mentor Mansion’ has been created to increase access for all and encourage further exchange, any comments or suggestions are actively encouraged and welcomed.

Michael Farquharson; Buckinghamshire New University.