A Cross-Sector Mentoring Story
At the heart of every thriving organisation are people who are growing, learning and supporting one another. That’s exactly what the Charity Mentoring Network was created to enable and the mentoring partnership between Esther Park, SVP Talent and Culture at Purple and Rhian Cooke, Chief People and Governance Officer from Mary’s Meals, is a powerful example of the impact cross-organisational mentoring can have.
When Rhian, an experienced professional in the charity sector, first read Esther’s mentor profile on the Charity Mentoring Network’s platform, something resonated.
“I liked the sound of her bio and made contact asking if she would be my mentor,” Rhian explains. “I’m so grateful to the Charity Mentoring Network for enabling me to meet Esther.”
For Esther, the match came with a moment of self-doubt, which is something many potential mentors will recognise.
“I was honestly a bit intimidated by Rhian’s mentor request,” Esther admits. “She’s very experienced and I wasn’t sure what I’d be able to offer her.”
But what began with uncertainty quickly evolved into a rich, mutually beneficial peer mentoring relationship.
The power of shared experience
Although Esther works in the corporate sector and Rhian in the charity world, they discovered strong common ground through their shared work in HR, People and Culture.
“We’re from totally different sectors but can share experiences,” says Rhian. “Esther is bright, compassionate and generous with her time, contacts and experience. I’ve taken so much from our mentoring sessions.”
Together, they agreed to act as peer mentors, creating space for open dialogue, fresh thinking and honest reflection.
“I’ve found the whole experience hugely rewarding,” Esther reflects. “I know that I’ve been able to act as a useful sounding board for Rhian, while also sharing my own views and experience.”
More than professional development
One of the unique strengths of the Charity Mentoring Network is its ability to create meaningful human connections that go beyond formal learning.
By happy coincidence, Esther and Rhian discovered they live near each other. What started as scheduled mentoring sessions soon became regular in-person catch-ups and even the occasional meeting at their local Park Run.
“We never would have met without the Charity Mentoring Network and I’m so glad that we have,” Esther says. “She’s a wonderful person to know and we’ve become genuine friends.”
For Rhian, that unexpected personal connection has been just as valuable:
“Having a new friend has been a fantastic, unexpected bonus.”
The organisational impact
While individual stories are powerful, the wider impact across organisations is just as compelling.
At Purple, Esther has seen first-hand how mentoring through the Charity Mentoring Network is developing their people.
“I’m delighted with the positive impact that the Charity Mentoring Network has delivered for our employees at Purple. Everyone who has been matched with a mentee has given great feedback.”
Mentors are gaining far more than they anticipated:
- A real sense of achievement
- Enhanced coaching and listening skills
- Broader perspectives beyond their own sector
- Renewed energy and pride in their profession
“Mentors have felt a real sense of achievement in supporting others outside of their day-to-day roles,” Esther explains, “and have also seen their own skills develop through the mentoring experience.”
This is the virtuous circle in action: mentoring creates better people – and better people build better organisations.
Why Learning & Development leaders should take note
For Learning and Development professionals, cross-organisational mentoring offers a high-impact, human-centred development opportunity that:
- Builds leadership capability
- Strengthens coaching cultures
- Increases employee engagement
- Broadens sector understanding
- Creates meaningful external networks
As Esther discovered personally:
“Mentoring through the Charity Mentoring Network has enabled me to meet people who I would never normally cross paths with, helping me to broaden my perspective and reinforcing my love for my profession — as well as giving me the opportunity to learn from my mentees.”
And as did Rhian:
“I’m so grateful to CMN for enabling me to meet Esther…I’ve taken so much from our mentoring sessions and having a new friend has been a fantastic, unexpected bonus..”
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If you’re an L&D professional looking to give your people the kind of growth, connection and impact that Esther and Rhian have experienced, we’d love to show you more.