Individual Case Study: Inclusion - Scottish Mentoring Networkscottishmentoringnetwork.co.uk/.../CASE_STUDY...Individual Case Study: Inclusion The purpose of this case study template

Individual Case Study: Inclusion

The purpose of this case study template is to assess the positive impact that mentoring can have on an individual.

1.0 ABOUT THE PROJECT

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Organisation Name: Linknet

Contact Name:

Ranbandara Dissanayaka

Contact Number and email:

0131 225 6404 and [email protected]

Postcode: EH1 1JG

Region: Edinburgh and the Lothians

LINKnet was established in 2000 as the first and the only organisation in Scotland that provides services based solely on one to one mentoring to disadvantaged groups. Through its various activities, the organisation aims to maximise representation of people from disadvantaged groups such as minority ethnic, gender, disabled, gay and lesbian, faith, domestically abused men and women, refugees and asylum seekers, new arrivals and so on, in employment, further and higher education, and public and civic life of Scottish society.

Mentoring is provided by trained volunteer mentors and LINKnet has had experience of running such projects for nine years.

LINKnet is currently delivering a few mentoring projects of equal weight on its own and in partnership with other organisations:

• The LINKnet and Sikh Sanjog Work Ready Mentoring Project to help BME women who have had very little or no life opportunities,

• The International Alliance Project in partnership with Napier University to help overseas students who wish to remain and work in Scotland after graduating,

• 16-24 Job ready Project to help young people into education or employment

• LINKnet’s Political Mentoring Project to develop future leaders from disadvantaged groups.

Why Mentoring?

One-to-one mentoring in which the mentee receives the attention of one whole person(mentor) differs from teacher-pupil or manager-subordinate relationships and also from training or coaching.

LINKnet sees mentoring as a confidence booster that is recognised as one of the best methods of developing people who lack self confidence and self esteem and face many other barriers to development.

Mentors and Mentees are referred to Linknet from various places. They come through LINKnet’s formal partners (Napier University, Heriot Watt University, The City of

Please return this form to [email protected] or by fax to 0141 248 8066 or post to Scottish Mentoring Network, 3rd floor, Centrum House, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX

Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Procurator Fiscal Service and Lothian & Borders Police). Referrals also come from individual referrals, publicity and LINKnet’s promotion, outreach work and sessional work.

The objectives for the mentees are as follows:

• Speed up the process of getting jobs or education. • Widen contacts and horizons • Receive valuable support in a desired area of development free of charge • Enhance existing knowledge • Gain new knowledge • Gain inside knowledge about various institutes, their policies and opportunities • Gain new skills • Improve employability • Increase self-esteem and self-confidence

What is asked of the mentors?

Mentors are requested to offer one hour per week voluntary mentoring for a period of 4 to 6 months. The necessary Mentor training and supervision is provided by LINKnet.

The benefits that the mentors gain from becoming involved in the Linknet mentoring project are as follows:

• Sharpen current knowledge • Gain new knowledge • Exposure to different cultures and environments • Improve employability • Recognition by individuals and institutions • New contacts and wider networking

Please return this form to [email protected] or by fax to 0141 248 8066 or post to Scottish Mentoring Network, 3rd floor, Centrum House, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX

• See opportunities from within, private, public and voluntary sector organisations or/and educational institutions

• Increase self-esteem and self-confidence • Review and revalidate what you have achieved so far • Receive a good training that includes, communication, coaching and counselling

skills and knowledge on equality legislation, confidentiality policy and cultural sensitivity

• Open your eyes to your own true potential

Supporting the mentors and mentees

Staff of linknet organised last years social event for all mentors and mentees and those who continue to support Linknet. It was a great turnout with 123 people attending. A hot and cold buffet was served and entertainment provided by Afridonia, the African dancers and Dias Quartet – a brazilian band. Certificates of appreciation were given out to the mentors.

Linknet’s information and communications officer set up a forum for Linknet where mentees, mentors, Linknet staff, BME and other organisations can post news, events, training courses, workshops and jobs. The forum holds very useful information. Linknet mentees and mentors can use the forum as discussion and communication hub as well as to obtain updated information.

The forum provides information on the following:

Please return this form to [email protected] or by fax to 0141 248 8066 or post to Scottish Mentoring Network, 3rd floor, Centrum House, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX

• Current Job Vacancies• CVs and Application Forms• Interview skills

• Information on Training• Language Support Resources• Events, Seminars, Careers Fairs• Workshops, Courses• Important notices• Useful websites• Frequently asked questions• Skills pool where mentees and mentors who are looking for jobs can register their

details. Linknet advertise this section to employers who want to recruit people from minority ethnic communities. This pool allows them to identify suitable applicants for their vacancies in order to increase the number of minority ethnic people working for their agencies.

In addition to these projects LINKnet collects, disseminates and provides advice and information by various means. LINKnet’s resource centre with ten computers and other resources is available for the free use of people from equality groups.

LINKnet is governed by a Management Board of Directors and headed by a Chair. There are ten members of the Board of varying qualifications, experience and skills that are of immense importance for the efficient management of the organisation. We have Board directors from public, private and voluntary sectors and three of them have been service users. Five of the Board Directors are from equality groups.

2.0 THE RELATIONSHIP

STATEMENT FROM THE LINKNET MENTEES

Mentee A.

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Originally from the Carribean, Mentee A came to the UK to study in 2001 for a Msc Personnel Management with IT however, it took her a long time to find work and when she did find work it was well below the level of her qualification.

After years of frustration, along with bad experiences of recruitment companies she ended up working outside of her field in the BME voluntary sector.

Originally, LINKnet approached Mentee A to become a mentor and was matched but through the process of being a mentor she felt that she could also benefit from mentoring. After 7 years of obtaining her degree she really wanted to have the opportunity to prove herself but felt that she did not have the industry knowledge.

Mentee A was matched and with her mentor, they set clear objectives and began looking at her CV, using her transferrable skills and looking at potential employers that Mentee A would not have even considered.

Within a month, she had 2 successful interviews and job offers. The mentor did not make any decisions but helped her to think of the pros and cons of which job to choose from: ‘I knew where I wanted to go but I didn’t know how to get there. I am very grateful for the

help that I have gotten from LINKnet. I am successfully working in my chosen career path. It wouldn’t have happened had I not realised that I needed help. I would encourage you to

give mentoring a try. I am where I am today because of linknet.'

Mentee B.

At first Linknet mentoring did not mean much to me, I was busy thinking of my last chance at high school and my objective to get a place at University. In fifth year I wanted to combine passing 4 Highers with my all time hobby. Unfortunately I had to learn things the hard way especially as my mother went away for a holiday. It was not impossible, all I needed was a mentor. Someone to be there for me, keeping me right all the time and give me that extra hand that would make the difference. In sixth year I had though that I knew all the tricks in the book and was raging to get things right. I accepted mentoring as a safety net, and it turned out it was my only chance through. My mentor helped me manage my time, made sure I knew what was happening in situations like writing my personal statement and what was going to happen if I tried to get my own house. He played a big part in passing a vital higher exam by helping me when my teacher couldn’t. Now it’s a big relief it’s all over, and would like to thank my mentor for all the trouble he had to go through.

Mentee C.

I am an Engineer in automatics, and computer programmer in my home country of Cuba. My mentor and I have been meeting since February and we have worked on my CV and mock interviews, as well as how look for a job on the internet. I'm still working as freelancer in Web designing and I'll enroll in a course about repairing computers in Jewel

Please return this form to [email protected] or by fax to 0141 248 8066 or post to Scottish Mentoring Network, 3rd floor, Centrum House, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX

and Esk. I've found a course in English conversation too. I think I've improved my listening and speaking. I have gained so much more confidence. I know how to manage in interviews (although I can't control my nerves yet!) and I've learned the different ways to look for a job. I have applied for two courses NC in computing (Adult Learning); one in Information Technology and the other one is an intensive, vocational course which could give me a recognized qualification for work as a computer technician. Both are free of charge and both requiring my previous qualifications.LINKnet is a big family and I appreciate every help and support you have give to me during all this time. Thanks a lot. I recommend to everyone from the ethnic and minority community who is confused about his or her future in this country and who is "lost in translation" in some way, go to Linknet for advise and support

Mentee D.

I came to know about Linknet Mentoring Program about 8 months ago. I was just finishing the “Women On To Work” Training Program and started to look for employment. But I was finding it difficult due to lack of experience in UK market and especially after having a career break for 2 ½ years. Under the Linknet Mentoring Program I was matched with a mentor who was a Senior HR advisor for the Edinburgh council. This was an excellent matching as I always wanted to get back in to the field of Human Resources which was my background. I had frequent meetings with my mentor and she advised and supported me with different methods of job search, Job applications and Interviews. In April I was able to get a job as a Project Administrator which was a 6 months maternity cover. Throughout this period she continued guiding me on the job I was doing and also supporting me on my future job search and HR networking. I was able to attend a workshop as her guest organized by the CIPD (Charted Institute of Personnel and Development Management); this gave me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge and to meet some professionals in the field of Human Resources. After I finished my contract as a Project Administrator, within about 2 months I was able to get in to permanent employment with “WEA Scotland” which is due to start in mid November. This is an Administrative role with some key HR elements so I believe I have achieved my objective of getting back on track with my career. This starting point was the most difficult part and I’m proud of my self for achieving this with all my thanks and heart full gratitude to my mentor and to Linknet without I won’t be able to get this advise and support

Statements from Linknet’s mentors:

Brenda Itoney -

I first became aware of LINKnet and what it does via my work. I had not previously heard of LINKnet. I was looking to expand my volunteer work and had looked through my work’s community involvement site, looking for something to get involved with. I liked what LINKnet

Please return this form to [email protected] or by fax to 0141 248 8066 or post to Scottish Mentoring Network, 3rd floor, Centrum House, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX

was about and trying to do and became involved.

My experiences with LINKnet have been positive and I have learned more about myself and the society we live in, including challenges faced by ethnic minorities. Linknet has made me more aware of skills I have and am able to pass along. This includes communication and transferring skills in ways that are grasped and pragmatically implemented, providing others a foundation to boost their confidence and gain other skills.

The training and support provided by LINKnet have been invaluable, making one feel part of something important and positively contributing to Edinburgh’s diversity.

Carol Brown

I have very much enjoyed the process and it has helped me to reflect back on skills that I have developed over the years but was perhaps not aware of.

I have had some interesting discussions with my mentee about her course and aspects of it which relate to some of my work as a social researcher. Finding resources on essay writing has actually reminded me of some tips for writing my own written work. My mentee is an inspirational woman and I have found it fun and enjoyable to work with her.

Anjam Sheikh

I am a LINKnet mentor. I have haad 3 success stories, 2 when I first joined and again when I joined last year 07. I was matched with a mentee. In 6 weeks my mentee and I hit it off. We met 3 times and she was set because she kept up her end of the deal., and I mine. We both did our homework and she ended up with a job as a volunteer in the field that she wanted to work in. She has still kept in touch just to let me know how things are moving along.

I also use the Resource Centre. I have found it very useful as I do not have Internet access at home. Using the Resource Centre is very relaxing – it is safe and comfortable. The seats are comfy. Its not like an internet café where you are restricted for time. We all go down together, my daughter, and granddaughter also have a lot of fun here, they can’t wait till Fridays.

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