Reciprocal Mentoring

The aim of this programme is to give staff in leadership roles, greater insight into the lived experience and development needs of under-represented groups, while offering a mutually beneficial mentoring partnership.


Participants will be equal partners, each taking on the role of both mentor and mentee. They will have an opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and networks through the mentorship of their partner.

What is Reciprocal Mentoring?

It is a development intervention that stems from the models of traditional mentoring but is not the same. The pairs are equal partners in the process of learning and the relationship is reciprocal. The approach aims to focus on systemic change as well as at an individual level. It is about creating genuine understanding of each other’s lived experiences and to connect with each other to create trust for working together as partners. It will not always be comfortable. It will require the participants to start on a journey of exploration and commitment to change.

  • Building a partnership with someone at a senior level
  • Opportunity to tap into the experience of their partner, for example: lessons learned, possible openings for networking and shadowing in order to progress development, raise their profile and maybe accelerate their career aspirations
  • Insight into senior level activities and the ways in which politics and power works
  • Insight into the ways in which power works at a conscious and unconscious level
  • Greater awareness of self and organisational systems through the relationship that is formed
  • Confidence in talking to and challenging power and influencing peers within their own networks

  • Challenge from a different perspective
  • Increased understanding of the ways in which their behaviours, beliefs, policies and practices impacts upon the lived experience of people within their organisation
  • Confidence in challenging beliefs and behaviours with peers and influencing decision making
  • Motivating others to take action that would make a change for individuals from minority backgrounds.

For staff in Leadership roles: (This will be by invite only for the first phase)

Senior Leaders will be expected to attend a 2-hour workshop prior to being able to access the Reciprocal Mentoring scheme and should have some previous coaching and mentoring experience or training. 

Please complete the below application form and return to bht.buckscoachingpool@nhs.net

Support for those with the lived experience:

We understand that some of the topics discussed could be challenging and bring back memories of difficult times, so we are working in collaboration with the well-being teams to make sure support is there if you need it.


BHT Wellbeing team

T: 01296 255650
bht.staffwellbeing@nhs.net


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