Understanding why mentoring matters in Widening Participation (WP) starts with moving beyond simple information sharing to building genuine human connections. We recently hosted a sector-wide webinar to explore this shift, focusing on how to design and deliver mentoring programmes that drive tangible outcomes for underrepresented students.
Our new CEO, John Craven, led the session alongside our impact and delivery teams. We also heard directly from our Youth Board, and together, we explored why mentoring isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore. In today’s Higher Education landscape, it’s a necessity.
Why mentoring is essential for Widening Participation
Milena Lasheras-Maas, our Programmes and Impact Lead, opened the session by explaining the power of relational interventions. While one-off workshops and info sessions have their place, they often lack the personal touch.
Mentoring is different because it’s relational, Milena explained. It gives students space to ask those honest questions. You know, the kind they don’t feel comfortable asking in a formal classroom or in front of their peers.
Why mentoring matters in Widening Participation and helps students navigate these four critical stages:
- Pre-HE: Deciding if university is even the right path.
- Offer Holder: Choosing the specific subject and the right institution.
- Transition: Building a sense of belonging during those first few weeks on campus.
- Employability: Finding a clear career path before they graduate.
Engagement is designed, not accidental.
One of the biggest myths we debunked is the idea that you can just match two people and hope for the best. Lucy, from our delivery team, made it clear that high engagement comes from deliberate design.
First, structure is enabling. We’ve found that an 8 to 12-week programme keeps momentum high. We use prompts and milestones so mentors and mentees never have to wonder what to talk about next.
Second, you need a strong hook. Young people need a clear reason to join. Whether it’s talking to someone in a subject they love or getting help with a specific UCAS decision, it has to feel worth their time.
Finally, we use technology as a nudge. Our platform uses real-time data to flag when a relationship needs a boost. This ensures participation stays easy and doesn’t feel like a chore for the mentor or the student.
Voices of experience: Milly and Farzana
The best part of the session was hearing from our Youth Board. Milly told us how their Brightside mentor helped them navigate UCAS after people said that university wasn’t the place for a disabled student. Farzana shared her journey from being a 16-year-old mentee to becoming a Senior Mentor at UCL. She’s now helping the next generation of first-year students settle in and find their feet.
What our attendees said
We had a great turnout from universities across the sector. Here’s what some of the attendees had to say about the session:
“I thought the webinar was really helpful in laying the groundwork for successful mentoring.”
“It was especially good to hear from the youth panel and take on their experiences. Very informative.”
Watch the recording and view the slides.
If you couldn’t join us live, don’t worry. You can catch the full discussion and download our framework for successful mentoring design below.
Designing and Delivering Effective Mentoring Programmes for Widening Participation Slides
Looking ahead
John Craven reminded us that Brightside has supported over 160,000 young people since we started 23 years ago. Today, students face complex pressures, from cost-of-living worries to transition anxiety. They need a human connection now more than ever.
Every institution has different goals for its Access and Participation Plan. If you’d like to discuss a tailored mentoring solution for your students, get in touch with the team today.
