FAQ’s for Routes2Success role models and mentors

Role models work as a team to deliver three sessions to the same cohort of young people (up to 10 young people in a cohort) over three weeks. Role models will: 

• inspire through life experiences and motivate young people to improve their life chances 
• provide an understanding of what opportunities and pathways are available to them 
• share best practice, offer tips, and access opportunities for success 

In comparison, Mentors work one-to-one with a young person to deliver fortnightly sessions of 45 – 60 mins for a total of ten sessions. Mentors will: 

• be a confidante for the young person they work with 
• help the young person to challenge their own behaviour and decisions 
• help the young person to discuss challenges and personal issues 
• support the young person to develop the skills and tools to manage their social and emotional difficulties 
• use their own experiences for the benefit of the young person by sharing their own journey 
  

It’s completely up to you to take on as many or as few sessions as you want! 

The minimum requirement is that you’re available to volunteer for four days of the year based on a four-hour day. This includes the compulsory induction and safeguarding training that all volunteers must undertake before they begin.  

Each role model session lasts 1.5 hours and we aim to work with the same cohort over three consecutive weeks.  

Remember to factor in your travel time to the school. We do consider role models who will only travel to schools in their own borough and surrounding ones.

We have role models and mentors from all walks of life – some who work with young people regularly and others who do not. Rest assured that this will not present a barrier to engaging with a group! 

Whilst your first session may feel a little daunting, it is important to remember that the young people will be happy to see a new face and will be interested by your story and experiences. 

We aim to ensure that all sessions are delivered jointly by at least two role models and supported by a member of the R2S team.

Yes. We reimburse volunteers for travel to and from all sessions they deliver. Travel reimbursement is limited to journeys within London and Greater London.

If your journey starts outside of London, we will reimburse the portion of your travel from the point at which you enter London.

To claim expenses, you’ll need to complete an expenses form. If you travel by public transport, please provide a photo or scan of your receipt. If you travel by car, mileage is reimbursed at 45p per mile.

We are a pan-London programme, working with young people across the capital and partnering with schools and organisations in boroughs throughout London.

We deliver a wide range of workshop topics in the four broad areas of: education, employment, entrepreneurship, and personal development. We tailor each session to meet the specific needs of the group as identified by the school.

Below are some examples of areas we may cover.

Once a request comes in from a organisation, we provide role models with a brief of the group and the workshop they would like us to deliver and ask role models to get in touch if they would like to deliver the session.

This means that you only need to take on a session that you feel comfortable delivering.