Want to help young people progress? RH Link, our long-term access programme, is for you!
We are looking for alumni who are interested in helping young people to progress, to join our long-term access programme ‘Link’, as mentors across 4 or 5 months starting in the new year. We encourage applications from alumni who are at any stage in their career.
Find out more about the programme below. If you have any questions please contact Ella Jo Moncrieffe at ellajo.moncrieffe@rhul.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is Sunday 11th December at 11.59pm. Apply here.
What is ‘Link’?
Royal Holloway Link is the university’s flagship long-term access programme, which works with the same group of students from the start of Year 12 to the end of Year 13. The programme is subject specific and is split into 5 strands. You can find out more about the programme below, or visit the RH Link pages here.
As alumni, you can get involved by mentoring a group of up to three students studying in Year 13 who are on the second year of the Link programme.
The students all come from schools which are close in location to Royal Holloway. Where possible, we will try to match you with students who are interested in studying a similar degree to the one that you studied or who are thinking of working in your industry.
It is important to note that the programme prioritises students who are from widening access backgrounds. You can find out more about the entry criteria here under ‘Eligibility Criteria’.
When does the programme start and how long is it?
The programme launches at the start of February 2023 (date TBC) and will last roughly until May time.
How long is each session?
You will meet your mentees once a month, from February to May 2023, having in total 4 or 5 sessions with them. Sessions can vary in duration but we anticipate this would be a 4-5 hour (1 hour per session) commitment over the first half of next year.
Where will the sessions take place?
The sessions will take place online via a video platform and will be scheduled to last an hour each time, but we are happy for you to be flexible with timings. There is scope for mentors to meet their mentees in person on Royal Holloway’s campus towards the end of the programme (more details will be shared with alumni taking part).
What will I need to include in the sessions?
Mentors will be provided with a mentor handbook, which will have outlines and resources for each session. Each session will be different but will be based around settling into university life, how to prepare for exams, thinking forward in terms of career choices along with a chance for you to give students tips and tricks for preparing for their university and working life.
Will I receive any training?
Yes, basic training on the role of a mentor along with more in-depth training on the programme itself will be provided. We anticipate that this will take place online towards the end of January.
How can I apply?
To apply to this programme, fill in this online application form.
Is this different to being a mentor on RH Connect?
Yes, this scheme is different to the alumni mentoring offered through Royal Holloway Connect as mentors will be matched with Year 13 students by the team at Royal Holloway.
If you want to help mentor current Royal Holloway students or recent graduates you can register for Royal Holloway Connect here.
