Volunteer Hub
Online Mentoring
Organisation Details
Brightside
Sub theme: Children, Education
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Brightside is a social mobility charity that empowers young people to make confident, informed decisions about their future. Through high-quality mentoring programmes, trained volunteer mentors provide personalised guidance, relatable role models and encouragement to help young people build confidence, broaden their horizons and explore education and career opportunities. Working alongside schools, colleges, employers and funders, Brightside helps break down barriers and open doors to brighter futures.
🎯 What you'll be doing
Support a young person to navigate life after school by becoming an online mentor with Brightside Connect. This flexible 10-week mentoring programme pairs volunteers with sixth form and college students aged 16–18, helping them build confidence as they prepare for their future. Whether it's exploring university options, strengthening a CV, practising interview skills or simply offering encouragement, mentors provide valuable guidance through a combination of text-based conversations and video calls. With just 1–2 hours a week, volunteers can make a meaningful difference while fitting mentoring around their own schedule.
🚀 Your impact
By sharing their knowledge, experience and encouragement, volunteers will help young people gain the confidence, skills and motivation to take their next steps towards higher education, employment or training. For many students, having a trusted mentor can broaden horizons, unlock new opportunities and provide the reassurance they need to believe in their potential, creating a lasting impact that extends well beyond the programme.
Sign up here: https://wkf.ms/4oL703U
Want to know more? Attend our information session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oWXQhN1HSCONOnXUmOaxaA
🎯 What you'll be doing
Support a young person to navigate life after school by becoming an online mentor with Brightside Connect. This flexible 10-week mentoring programme pairs volunteers with sixth form and college students aged 16–18, helping them build confidence as they prepare for their future. Whether it's exploring university options, strengthening a CV, practising interview skills or simply offering encouragement, mentors provide valuable guidance through a combination of text-based conversations and video calls. With just 1–2 hours a week, volunteers can make a meaningful difference while fitting mentoring around their own schedule.
🚀 Your impact
By sharing their knowledge, experience and encouragement, volunteers will help young people gain the confidence, skills and motivation to take their next steps towards higher education, employment or training. For many students, having a trusted mentor can broaden horizons, unlock new opportunities and provide the reassurance they need to believe in their potential, creating a lasting impact that extends well beyond the programme.
Sign up here: https://wkf.ms/4oL703U
Want to know more? Attend our information session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oWXQhN1HSCONOnXUmOaxaA
Description of role: Brightside is a social mobility charity that empowers young people to make confident, informed decisions about their future. Through high-quality mentoring programmes, trained volunteer mentors provide personalised guidance, relatable role models and encouragement to help young people build confidence, broaden their horizons and explore education and career opportunities. Working alongside schools, colleges, employers and funders, Brightside helps break down barriers and open doors to brighter futures.
Founded in 2003, Brightside was created to tackle the unequal access many young people face when it comes to careers advice, higher education information and professional networks. By pioneering online mentoring, the charity has connected thousands of young people across the UK with volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. More than 20 years on, Brightside continues to inspire confidence, raise aspirations and improve social mobility by ensuring every young person has access to the support they need to thrive.
Mentoring opportunities:
1. BrightsideConnect Mentoring:
Are you available for 10 weeks between September-December? Then we'd love your support.
Brightside Connect is our online mentoring programme for 16–18-year-olds who are currently in sixth form or college across the country. Running during the autumn term, your support as a mentor will be invaluable, using your experience to help your mentee(s) to understand their next steps after school. Over a 10-week period, you might help them to explore university courses, write a CV, practice interview technique, revise for exams, and much more. Here’s a bit more information:
• Rolling 10-week programme starting in September 2026 until Christmas
• Not sector- or location-specific so all mentors are welcome
• Text-based with optional video calls
• 16-18-year-olds take part through their school/college
You would need to give around 1-2 hours over a course of the week around your availability. Each mentoring conversation will be different and varied. As it is all online and super flexible to fit around your commitments.
Full training, resources and DBS will be provided by Brightside. No prior experience required.
Are you ready? Inspire the next generation. Become a mentor. Sign up here: https://wkf.ms/4oL703U
Want to speak to a member of Brightside staff? Email Nawshin.khan@brightside.org.uk with any queries.
Or, want more information? Join one of our volunteer information session to find out more: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oWXQhN1HSCONOnXUmOaxaA
Founded in 2003, Brightside was created to tackle the unequal access many young people face when it comes to careers advice, higher education information and professional networks. By pioneering online mentoring, the charity has connected thousands of young people across the UK with volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. More than 20 years on, Brightside continues to inspire confidence, raise aspirations and improve social mobility by ensuring every young person has access to the support they need to thrive.
Mentoring opportunities:
1. BrightsideConnect Mentoring:
Are you available for 10 weeks between September-December? Then we'd love your support.
Brightside Connect is our online mentoring programme for 16–18-year-olds who are currently in sixth form or college across the country. Running during the autumn term, your support as a mentor will be invaluable, using your experience to help your mentee(s) to understand their next steps after school. Over a 10-week period, you might help them to explore university courses, write a CV, practice interview technique, revise for exams, and much more. Here’s a bit more information:
• Rolling 10-week programme starting in September 2026 until Christmas
• Not sector- or location-specific so all mentors are welcome
• Text-based with optional video calls
• 16-18-year-olds take part through their school/college
You would need to give around 1-2 hours over a course of the week around your availability. Each mentoring conversation will be different and varied. As it is all online and super flexible to fit around your commitments.
Full training, resources and DBS will be provided by Brightside. No prior experience required.
Are you ready? Inspire the next generation. Become a mentor. Sign up here: https://wkf.ms/4oL703U
Want to speak to a member of Brightside staff? Email Nawshin.khan@brightside.org.uk with any queries.
Or, want more information? Join one of our volunteer information session to find out more: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oWXQhN1HSCONOnXUmOaxaA
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Written Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday Morning, Monday Afternoon, Monday Evening, Tuesday Morning, Tuesday Afternoon, Tuesday Evening, Wednesday Morning, Wednesday Afternoon, Wednesday Evening, Thursday Morning, Thursday Afternoon, Thursday Evening, Friday Morning, Friday Afternoon, Friday Evening, Saturday Morning, Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening, Sunday Morning, Sunday Afternoon, Sunday Evening
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 1 hour over course of the week (flexible)
Location:
Arc, Canopi, 87 Tanner Street, London, SE1 3GN
London
SE13GN