We get asked this a lot. When we visit businesses, housing associations and local authorities to talk about putting their staff forward as employee volunteer mentors, it’s important to be clear.

An HR manager might naturally conclude that ‘front-line’ or customer-focused staff will benefit most from the skills development that comes from the two-day training.

They’re definitely going to benefit. With the social skills they’re going to get, the coaching skills, improved levels of empathy as well as listening skills and taking a solution-focussed approach, this is valuable for anyone working with the public.

But aren’t these great to have in the back office too? We all manage people day in day out and having employees that operate using these skills is useful to any part of the workplace.

And why would we want to narrow our field? People are amazing. People are your and our community greatest asset. We want mentors from every possible background to ensure that there is a mentor for every mentee. Because our mentees are wonderful and diverse too!