SEEDS

1. Individual industry mentor: We will match one of our mentors to your individual area of interest and they will help to develop your business skills and identify market opportunities 
2. Regular life-coaching sessions with a psychological coach
3. Interactive workshops: present your business ideas and network with confidence. We also offer tax advice, which is tailored to your needs 
4. Individual business and career planning clinics
5. Access to Ravensbourne's excellent facilities for the duration of the program, even if you've graduated already. (This is subject to fair use and demand for equipment)  
6. Pitch for a space on the Incubation+ business scheme at Ravensbourne, with access to ongoing support
7. Opportunities to collaborate with your mixed discipline network: realise your earning and creative potential.

Funding for this scheme is targeted at second and third-year students or recent graduates who are dyslexic or neuro-diverse*.

The scheme is, however, open to other students from diverse backgrounds* who can demonstrate that they can make the most of the opportunity. We expect there to be much competition for the limited number of places available, so please complete the form fully to show how you meet the criteria.

* Groups of students who share the following particular characteristics where data shows gaps in equality of opportunity in relation to access, success or progression: 

• Students and graduates from areas of low higher education participation, low household income or low socio-economic status 
• Some ethnic minority students
• Mature students 
• Students with a disability
• Care leavers

• The SEEDS programme runs for six months. 
• You are the only person who can get your business career off the ground, so you must be willing to put the work in and attend fully.
• You will take responsibility for arranging mentoring meetings, although we will work together to find you a suitable mentor. This is a 'learn by doing' programme, so come along with an open, curious mind.
• Workshops typically take place fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons 
• This will be a blended learning experience, with workshops and meetings held both in person and online. Alongside the workshops, we will expect you to meet with your own industry mentor once per month
• We can book life coaching sessions depending on your needs. Exact dates will be made available before the start of the programme

The commitment would be to meet with your mentee for one hour a month for six months, starting in October 2023. We know our mentors have busy schedules, so we are very flexible in how the time is delivered.

The mentee will meet you at a time and place that works for you. They will arrange everything, along with a plan of how to use each hour with you. Meetings can also take place online.

We have a wonderful group of industry mentors and we offer lots of support if any mentor ever needs it, along with a short training evening at the start of the programme. The fact that we have so much interest in our mentor programme repeatedly shows that this is a learning and development opportunity not just for mentees, but mentors too.

Alongside your mentoring, we offer the SEEDS mentees a range of workshops and business advice designed to accelerate their progress over the six months. In the end, it will be very rewarding when you see how you have influenced their professional and personal development. 

We ask that mentors have at least five years of relevant industry experience, an eagerness to invest in others and the ability to listen, empathise and give honest feedback. 

We first interview prospective mentees to establish their career plans and then find suitable mentors to match their aspirations.

This may mean that we cannot match you with someone straight away, but it's important that we use your time for maximum effect. We will retain your details (with your consent), so we can approach you about mentoring when the right fit is found.

You can also become involved in SEEDS if you’re interested in recruiting outstanding talent from a diverse background, delivering a workshop or talk with the group, or reviewing portfolios. 

We would love to hear from you! 

Please contact Yvonne Halloran, the program leader, if you would like to explore opportunities over an informal chat - [email protected]