About the Routes Mentoring Programme
Four months of support to help you achieve your goals
The Routes Mentoring Programme supports women in London who are currently refugees or asylum seekers, have experience of a Resettlement Scheme or the NRM, to achieve their goals. You will receive support from a dedicated mentor in one of the following areas:
What is mentoring?
With the support of a mentor selected by Routes, you will work to achieve your goals. You will have 10 meetings, over video call, or in person, to work on this together.
Your mentor will support you to work towards your goal in a supportive, kind and patient way. She will be a champion for you and she will not put barriers in your way.
You will also join the Routes Community and receive additional support, training and other opportunities.
“My dream was to study and continue with my education and I tried to do that alone, but I couldn’t do that, until I met Routes. They make my dream come true…”
How it works
Apply online
Complete an application form, which you can find at the bottom of this page. You will be asked a bit about yourself and what you want to work on with your mentor.
Have a video call with Routes
We will organise a video call (over Zoom, if possible for you) to talk about your application and motivations, and to explain the programme. This will be a friendly, informal conversation, and you will have the chance to ask questions too!
Matching mentors and mentees
We always do our best to match people with a mentor who can support them, but places on the programme are limited, which means that some people who apply will not get a place. We will communicate with everyone who applies, so you will hear from us about whether we have or have not found you a mentor match.
Attend a welcome session
You will be invited to a welcome session with other women on the programme to make sure that everyone knows what to expect and has a chance to meet each other and ask questions.
Meet your mentor
Our Mentoring Programme is currently ‘hybrid’. You will meet your mentor for a total of 10 hours. Some of these meetings may be online, and others can be in-person, depending on both of your preferences. Together you will work towards your goals. You will also have the chance to meet your fellow mentees and attend social events and workshops, on topics like public speaking and communication skills.
Celebrate!
At the end of the programme all mentors and mentees will celebrate together and you will receive a certificate! You can see a picture of our recent celebration below…
“I would recommend a woman to join the programme. It has helped to achieve my goals and ambitions, even though am limited by the benefits attached to my legal status. This overrode the barrier, enabling me to access information to achieve my interest.”
How to apply
We run two Mentoring Programmes a year: one in spring and one in autumn. Applications for our 14th Mentoring Programme, starting in April 2025, are now open.
If you have any questions, please contact our Programme Manager Tamana by email, phone call or WhatsApp (tamana@routescollective.com or 077360592480).
You can also read about the experiences of women who have already joined the Routes mentoring programme on our blog.
*Her name has been changed to protect her identity.