Celebrating our By Your Side mentorship programme
Mentors and mentees gathered to celebrate the first cohort of By Your Side, the seven-month coaching programme for staff at BWC.
The programme matches colleagues from across our Trust with someone from a different area, different role and banding and different lived experiences, in order to allow them to share skills, experiences and networking opportunities to aid personal development. This is a partnership programme where the mentor stands with the mentee right by their side.
The programme was put together by Ruth Wall and Rekel Kerr following the IDEA takeover at Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee to help bring people together to understand each other, to open doors for everyone, and to allow those taking part to develop different skills and gain additional experiences. Ruth took part as a mentee, being coached by Chief Executive, Sarah-Jane Marsh.
The first cohort has proven to be very successful with 100 per cent of participants recommending it and many feeding back they have built resilience, confidence and strategic thinking through their experience.
Chief Pharmacist, Alison Tennant and Head of Occupational Therapy for Forward Thinking Birmingham, Leah Berry, were paired together on By Your Side.
Alison said: “It reminded me what it’s like to be new and has informed how we work with new starters to get to know the Trust. It has been nice to speak to someone who wants to learn and develop. I get energy and perspective from our meetings.”
Leah added: “You build a connection with someone and get the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. It has highlighted to me how I want to develop and what I need to do that. If you’re offered the chance to sign up, go for it, take a chance.”
There are 30 pairs already signed up for the second cohort, which is starting soon, but there are still places available. Colleagues who wish to get involved, should head to the intranet for more details.
