BrightsideUNIAID

We always welcome feedback from our mentees, mentors and partners. If you have something to say, please get in touch.

What mentees say

The scheme was beneficial in many ways. I was able to obtain sound advice from my mentor which was very helpful. He also gave some vital recommendations about career prospects and directed my to the right resources to find the assistance that I needed.

Because I know that I can ask my mentor about anything and she always makes me feel better, she also knows lots about choosing unis etc. which I am starting to look into. She is also very interested in my life and will sometimes ask me how something has turned out that I talked about weeks ago.

My mentor is an absolute angel! She has given me a lot of very useful advice on how to go about work experience and volunteer work and has helped me greatly in preparation for my UCAS application. She deserves a medal!!!

I have made a good friend in my mentor and if I want to discuss issues on anything; academic or other I know that I can ask my mentor and that she will help me as much as possible

I have made a really valuable link with someone who knows first-hand about a university that I am considering going to. They also do the course that I want to do which makes having contact with my mentor even more interesting and relevant to me.

I find having a mentor very rewarding because it has taught me a lot more things in a much more simple down to earth and friendly way.

It has helped me to be confident in myself and to study hard to get what I want

The feedback and advice from my mentor has really boosted my confidence. She has made me realise that I do have all of the characteristics required to be a successful applicant for medicine and has given me lots of ideas for the sorts of volunteer work and work experience that I could do. Also, I am much more confident and feel better prepared for when I need to fill out my UCAS form. I feel that without her help and advice, I would not feel this ready for applications in October.

Talking to my mentor has helped me get rid of doubts that I had a bout college and uni

I feel as though I will go into an interview prepared with a good CV and list of skills and proficiencies I have completed.

…thanks for providing the chance to be a mentee as I really love this site and read all the latest additions everyday!

It’s helped me to be more confident in asking questions, I have a brilliant mentor who has helped me she’s given me good websites to look at encouragement and because of this scheme I know I want to do medicine!

What mentors say

Telling my mentee what to expect at University, making them aware of the problems I had and how to deal with them, giving advice. It has built up my confidence, made me more independent, given me better people skills.

It’s good to know that I’m making a difference and that my mentee seems to be getting benefit from it, which is the reason for becoming involved.

My mentee is enthusiastic and friendly, and I feel that he takes my advice on board. I therefore seem to be having a positive influence. I also think the training and news  and resources are extremely useful and informative.

It is nice for young people to ask questions about how I got to where I am today and it is fantastic to be able to give them advice

I have learnt a lot about communication, and some of the discussions have made me really think about my own values and beliefs.

I enjoy getting asked questions with the knowledge that my answers are valued and appreciated. It's great to be able to help someone out when I know it would have been of great benefit to me at that stage in my life.

I’s nice to follow though the progress of a sixth form student as they apply to medical school, particularly as I feel I have a lot of knowledge about it having been there myself! My mentee clearly finds me of use too which is great!

I have really enjoyed getting to know my mentees so far, and I think ementoring is a fab way to find out all about what they're up to at school, and it gives them the opportunity to ask me loads of questions about the course and life at uni! I just wish this programme was around when I was in school, trying to decide what career to choose!!

It’s been wonderful helping my mentee! This site is a really good idea because it bridges the gap.

Partners

“Imperial College London has been actively involved in ementoring with BrightsideUNIAID for over 5 years.  We have been continuously impressed by the innovation, service and most importantly the positive impact this scheme has had on our mentees.  It is easy to use, easy to recruit for and is a compliment to the other widening participation activities that we run.  I would definitely recommend ementoring with BrightsideUNIAID to other universities.”
Annalisa Alexander - Mentoring and Tutoring Programmes Manager, Imperial College London

“Through its London Engineering Project, The Royal Academy of Engineering has enjoyed a successful partnership with Brightside to help widen participation in engineering in London.  Brightside were excellent partners and this strong relationship led to innovative e-mentoring approaches being developed to widen the access into engineering.  We were delighted to see how e-mentoring helped to underpin and add value to our current face-to-face initiatives as well as easily be expanded to support the 14-19 engineering diploma.”
Professor Matthew Harrison – Director Education Programmes, Royal Academy of Engineering

“Collaborative projects with BrightsideUNIAID have been a valuable part of our widening participation programme for almost 5 years and colleagues at the Trust are invariably efficient, innovative, affable and knowledgeable. Our relationship has been an exemplar of effective partnership working: their expertise adds real value to our Widening Participation activity and greatly enhances the University’s outreach work”.
Nik Miller, Excellence Hub Coordinator Yorks and Humber, University of York

“Working with Brightside has given the Employment Zone Team at Birmingham City University the unique opportunity to support our students, increase their career aspirations, and to develop valuable links with mentors in business and members of our Alumni.”
Sharon Farrow, Birmingham City University