Mentoring as a shared journey of professional growth
At a recent Charity Mentoring Network members’ meeting, Nicola Kent, Head of Organisational Development at YMCA St Paul’s Group and Andi Varga, L&D manager at WWF-UK, shared their mentoring story as a mentor and mentee.
Here are some of the insights and take-aways from their conversation.
When Nicola Kent and Andi Varga, first connected through the Charity Mentoring Network, neither expected the relationship to become quite so transformative. What began as a traditional mentor–mentee pairing quickly evolved into something richer: a shared journey of professional growth, mutual learning and genuine connection.
For Andi, the decision to become a mentee was rooted in curiosity and a desire to lead by example. “I set out to find both a mentor and a mentee as soon as we joined the Charity Mentoring Network, because I wanted to experience it for myself.”
She felt that to really champion development opportunities, she needed to experience them herself, “I think it’s important for me to be able to truly champion any learning opportunity. I wanted to lead by example and to be able to truly inspire others.”
Andi was also motivated by her own growth, “Because I’m also a learner, I was really interested, not only to find out how CMN works, but also to explore career progression opportunities to help me grow.”
Nicola’s motivation echoed that sentiment. She was excited to launch the CMN in her organisation and to understand it from the inside.
“I was really excited to introduce the CMN to our charity, because I pride myself on offering diverse formats for staff development, but I also wanted to experience it myself, like Andi, and lead by example. Doing so helped me to understand more about how the tool works, how the program works and the benefits,” she says. “I also wanted to actually give something back for everything I’ve learned from previous mentors.”
Confidence, growth and a safe space
From early on, the relationship had an impact on both sides. For Nicola, stepping into the mentor role significantly boosted her confidence and helped reduce feelings of imposter syndrome.
Working with Andi connected her to the value she brings, “My connection with Andi has helped me to really reinforce that I am able to support my mentees’ development.”
Andi described how powerful the relationship became during a turbulent year, “For me, the relationship gave me motivation, inspiration and a lot of confidence, and I also found it was a constant safe space and support throughout the year. There have been some turbulent times personally and within the organisation over the last year, and mentoring gave me permission to celebrate myself and my successes.”
From mentoring to a shared journey
What began as a standard mentor–mentee setup soon evolved into something more mutual. “The relationship started as a traditional mentor mentee relationship, but it’s definitely grown into something much richer. We’re walking side by side and learning is flowing in both directions,” Nicola says.
Rather than rigidly following a set structure, the pair allowed flexibility to guide their conversations. What began as a focus on organisational development soon became something broader. “It transpired that better use for Andi would be to use these as sounding-board sessions,” Nicola says. “We’ve created a safe space where we can share new ideas and current challenges, so neither of us feels alone.”
Over time, Andi and Nicola have become accountability partners, supporting one another through shared learning experiences, conferences and professional milestones. “We’re so proud of each other’s achievements and the changes we’ve made,” Andi adds.
Making a success of mentoring
When asked what advice they would give to others considering mentoring, both emphasised openness and courage. Andy highlighted that mentoring doesn’t have to look one particular way. “Mentoring has many forms,” she says. “It can be micro-mentoring moments, career conversations, or longer-term relationships. It’s about teaching and learning and taking responsibility for your development.”
Nicola says it is important to let go of pressure and expectation. “View the first meeting as a chemistry meeting,” she advises. “You might not click and that’s okay. Even one meeting can spark food for thought and inspiration.” Her message was simple: “Just go for it. You don’t know until you try. The Charity Mentoring tool is a fantastic way to get started, so make the most of it.”
Together, Nicola and Andi’s story shows that mentoring is rarely a one-way exchange. Over time, it can become a partnership built on trust, curiosity and shared growth.
Key ingredients for a successful mentoring relationship
- Lead by example – especially if you are launching the CMN in your organisation
- Be clear on motivation and stay open to change
- Treat the first meeting as a chemistry meeting
- Create a safe, confidential space
- Allow learning to flow both ways
- Build in accountability and continuity
- Recognise the benefits for both mentor and mentee
- Use mentoring as part of a broader development journey
By joining the Charity Mentoring Network, individuals and organisations alike can create meaningful learning relationships that benefit both mentor and mentee. If you’re looking to invest in your peoples development, empower others and build a culture of growth, now is the time to get involved.
To find out how to get your organisation involved, please come along to one of our upcoming virtual coffee mornings