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Manchester Digital Mentoring Programme

In September 2009 the NWDA launched a £4.9m Mentoring Programme for SME’s across the North West of England. Amongst the target sectors for this programme is the expanding Creative and Digital Sector and the Urquhart Partnership, an appointed provider for the programme, is working with Manchester Digital to offer a programme for its members that will provide valuable benefits to both Mentors and mentees alike.

Mentoring provides a valuable opportunity for those running an SME business to share their ideas, challenges and concerns with an experienced business person. It is a proven way of developing your own personal skills and therefore improving the performance of your business. The programme is free of charge and relationships are expected to last between 6 and 12 months. Each mentee is matched with a Mentor based on their individual needs and circumstances and therefore could select a Mentor from outside the sector if that would be more beneficial.

To qualify to receive mentoring, applicants must be at a senior level within a business that turns over less than £2m and has been trading for at least one year.

Mentors operate on a volunteer basis and are chosen on the basis of having significant business experience that they can share. Each Mentor will receive both initial and ongoing training and is able to specify the amount of time that they are able to offer to the programme. Mentors are matched by assessing their areas of strength and experience against the needs of those being mentored and, if preferred, a Mentor could choose to Mentor outside of the Creative and Digital sector.

Being a Mentor offers the individual the chance to significantly enhance and develop a range of interpersonal skills, provides a rewarding challenge and can also provide a completely different perspective on your own business. Our Mentor sessions also provide valuable networking time with a group of similar-minded people and are a great way to make new contacts.

Induction sessions for those being Mentored (Clients) and Mentors take place on a regular basis, please get in touch for details.

For more information about the programme, please call Paul or Rebecca on 0161 237 3553 or email mentoring@upwebsite.com

For further information about Mentoring and the wider NWDA Programme, please click here

Click here for Manchester Digital website