Help every step of the way

Nov 14 2007 By The Journal

WOMEN are getting a helping hand into business thanks to a respected service.

Northumberland Business Service (NBS) has announced the launch of The Northumberland Women’s Mentoring Partnership (NWMP).

This partnership provides a mentoring programme to accelerate women’s journey in enterprise across Northumberland. Mentoring is increasingly recognised as a priority – just like networking – for women’s entrepreneurship and regional economic development. The mentoring programme pairs experienced business people with people who wish to take their business ideas to the next level.

A mentor is like a wise and trusted friend who acts as a sounding board, gives a different perspective and offers encouragement, but doesn’t tell the other person – the mentee – what to do, or do it for them.

Many successful people in the north have benefited from having a mentor.

The NWMP mentoring programme will support women from different backgrounds and offer development at all stages of their businesses from pre-start to growth.

Mentors will be both men and women and there will be a variety of on-line resources.

Wendy Parvin, Women Into the Network’s director of mentoring said: “It’s definitely a two-way process. Mentors enjoy the experience and get just as much out of it as the people they support.”

As an existing member of the mentoring programme, Christine Ainley of Through the Maze Life Coaching has found the experience invaluable in developing ideas and building her business: “Having a regular meeting with my mentor has given me the opportunity to discuss my business ideas with an expert, in an informal way. I am learning from her expertise and I come away every time feeling more motivated and confident in my abilities”.

The programme which was started as a pilot in May 2007 has been supported from its inception by Dee Stephenson, enterprise manager for Northumberland, who is responsible for implementing the Enterprising Northumberland campaign on behalf of Northumberland Strategic Partnership, said: “I was keen to be involved in this project and wanted to present it in a way that was accessible to women’s busy lives.

“The pilot has demonstrated what a large impact a mentor can have on the success and confidence of an entrepreneur and from my experience, if women know someone who runs their own business they are much more likely to think of it as a viable career option.”

If you are interested in joining the programme as a mentor or a mentee or require further information, then please contact Amanda Copcutt on: 0844 873-1343, email: Berwick@n-bs.co.uk or visit: www.n-bs.co.uk