WIA Mentoring Programme FAQs
About the Programme
What is the WIA UK Mentoring Programme? It is a structured initiative that pairs mentors with mentees for 1:1 or group mentoring. The aim is to foster personal and professional growth in architecture and the wider built environment. It provides a supportive environment for knowledge sharing, skill development, and career guidance outside your organisation or current sphere of influence.
Who can participate in the WIA UK Mentoring Programme? The programme is open to the WIA UK network and is designed to support women and marginalised community mentees.
MENTORS of all genders can apply to participate.
How long does the WIA UK Mentoring Programme last? The WIA UK Mentoring Programme runs for 6 months from January to the end of June each year.
Benefits
How can I benefit from having a mentor? Benefits for mentees include:
Understanding leadership skills
Building confidence
Setting clear goals and maximising potential
Improving decision-making in difficult professional situations
Better understanding of workplace dynamics
Accelerating networking
Developing skills in self-reflection
What are the benefits for mentors? Benefits for mentors include:
Connecting to the Women in Architecture network
Expanding abilities to develop others
Advancing leadership style
Providing opportunities for self-reflection
Gaining new knowledge and enriching ideas
Enhancing relationship management and negotiation skills
Programme Structure
How often do mentors and mentees meet? It is recommended that mentors and mentees meet once a month for six months.
How long are the mentoring sessions? Meetings can last between one and two hours.
Where do mentoring sessions take place? Meetings can be held virtually or in person, depending on mutual agreement and accessibility.
How do I organise mentoring sessions with my mentor/mentee? Please liaise with your mentee or mentor via email to establish a convenient time to meet. Try to agree on times in advance or provide as much notice as possible. In the unlikely event that you need to postpone a session, please reschedule an alternative, convenient time promptly. Remember that everyone is volunteering their time to participate in the programme, so we encourage you to keep the administration burdens to a minimum.
What if I can’t get in touch with my mentoring partner? If you have tried several times to email your mentoring partner without success, please get in touch with the WIA team member who emailed your mentoring match. We will contact your partner on your behalf and notify you of the response.
What if I am not happy with my assigned mentee or mentor? Every effort is made to accommodate as many of the criteria and characteristics you have identified as important to you in your application form. If after your first initial meeting, you are not confident that this specific mentoring match will work, please email the WIA Mentoring Programme Team Member (who emailed your original mentoring match) to explain why it is not an ideal match - by the end of February. Whilst we can’t promise to re-match you, given the scale and complexity of doing so, we will do our best to accommodate you before the end of March.
When do applications open and close for the WIA UK Mentoring Programme? Applications open in September and close in October each year. Mentoring Matches are announced in December, ready for a January start.
Expectations and Responsibilities
What are the responsibilities of a mentor? Mentors are expected to:
Be supportive and non-judgmental
Be honest and open-minded
Strive to be a reflective and active listener
Help the mentee identify goals
Maintain confidentiality
Facilitate regular meetings
Focus on the mentee's experience and guide them to find solutions
What are the responsibilities of a mentee? Mentees are expected to:
Treat the mentor professionally and appreciate their time
Be non-judgmental, open-minded, and honest
Be punctual and considerate in organising meetings
Be willing to be challenged and receive feedback
Be prepared and set the agenda for discussions
Keep a record of meetings using the WIA Mentoring Record Sheet
Who is responsible for leading the conversation and keeping track of agreed actions? Please remember it’s an exchange and not a tutor or line manager to team member relationship. The mentee is responsible for tracking their progress.
What is the expectation regarding contacting my mentee or mentee outside of the mentoring programme? Please be respectful of your mentee and mentor’s time. Discuss how you would like to be contacted and whether after-hours is acceptable, and if so, during what hours or under what conditions.
Confidentiality and Ethics
How is confidentiality maintained in the programme? Both mentors and mentees are expected to maintain full confidentiality within the bounds of their mentoring sessions.
What ethical guidelines govern the mentoring relationship? The programme adheres to the RIBA Mentoring Code of Conduct, which emphasises respect, confidentiality, and ethical behaviour in the mentoring relationship [27-28].
Applicants are required to accept the WIA Privacy Policy terms.
Application and Matching
How are mentor-mentee pairs matched? WIA matches mentors with mentees using the information provided in the application forms. The aim is to connect experienced professionals with mentees who have aspirations or backgrounds relevant to the mentors' experience.
What if the mentor-mentee match doesn't work out? If either person feels the match isn't right, they have the right to decline without affecting their rights to participate in future iterations of the programme. The WIA Mentoring Team will attempt to find another match, subject to time and availability.
Programme Evaluation
How is the success of the mentoring programme measured? WIA periodically sends out surveys to check in with both mentees and mentors to ensure expectations are being met and to improve the quality of the programme.
This FAQ provides a comprehensive overview of the WIA Mentoring Programme based on the information contained in the WIA UK Mentoring Handbook.