Since launching in March 2021, the Sheffield Digital Mentoring Scheme has grown phenomenally in its success, impacting mentees and mentors and delivering a ripple effect in the city’s digital ecosystem.

There is a wealth of experienced people working in Sheffield’s digital industries, who want to give something back to the city and community in which they have found their success. The Sheffield Digital Mentoring Scheme has proven to be the right platform to do this, connecting mentees to professional one-to-one support and guidance towards their tech careers – whether they are new to the sector, looking to progress, needing support with confidence and communication skills for interviews and meetings, or retraining in a different field.

Because of this, our tech community is growing in a sustainable way and new routes into tech are opening up to people who may have previously been put off by a lack of support.

Whilst the amazing work of our voluntary mentors drives the scheme’s success, Sheffield Digital plays an important role in managing the journeys of mentors and mentees, creating the all important matches and providing governance and structure, to maximise everybody’s experience.

Our scheme manager regularly checks in with both parties and is available to hear any queries or concerns that a mentor or mentee has. We also organise regular meetups for mentors and mentees respectively, so that participants can share experiences and challenges in a safe and confidential space with their peers.

Here is all of the initial information you need to join our scheme as a mentee or a mentor. If you have any questions please email: sarah@sheffield.digital

Information for mentees

To take part as a mentee you or your company needs to be a Sheffield Digital member under at least one of the following categories:

• Individual member (£6/month)
• Freelancer member (£7/month)
• Start-up company (£6/month)
• Micro company (£18/month)

Your membership helps us to cover the costs of running the scheme which is managed by Sarah Lister. You can join membership here.

As part of the scheme you will receive:

• Scheduled one-to-one meetings with your mentor over a six month period
• Dedicated support from our Scheme Manager including an introductory video call 
• Resources to help track your progress
• Opportunities to socialise with other mentees on the scheme at organised meetups

Read more about what you can expect as a mentee.

To sign up to our mentoring scheme please complete this form. Shortly after submission you will receive a welcome email from our scheme manager Sarah Lister. If you have any questions please email sarah@sheffield.digital.

Information for mentors

If you have knowledge, experience and focused time to offer to mentees looking to develop themselves within the tech industry in Sheffield, please join our community of mentors.

To join as a mentor you need to complete this form. Sheffield Digital membership is not required. After you’ve submitted the form, Sarah will email you to arrange an introductory call to discuss the scheme in more detail and to answer your questions. If you have any questions beforehand please email: sarah@sheffield.digital.

As part of the scheme you will receive:

• Access to our Mentor Resource Hub 
• Dedicated support from our Scheme Manager including an introductory video call 
• Resources for you and your mentee to help track their progress
• Opportunities to give presentations, ask questions and network with other mentors at our meetups.

Read our Guide for Mentors for more information.