Business Mentor - Volunteer Role Description
About Launch It Dundee
Launch It Dundee is a new Scottish charity setting out to meet a growing need for access to tailored business support and affordable business premises for young entrepreneurs in Dundee who are in the early stages of setting up a business or are considering self-employment. We work primarily with 18-30 year olds who are unemployed, underemployed, in low-wage or insecure employment, or otherwise facing barriers to employment. Our clients may include care-leavers, those with a history of youth offending, young people from a minority ethic background, or those with additional support needs / mental health support needs. We are based at our Dundee Enterprise Centre at Kandahar House, Meadowside.
Business Mentor (voluntary)
Responsible to: Shabana Basheer (Dundee Centre Manager)
Role Purpose
We are seeking Business Mentors to support our young clients with their business development. You will be matched to a mentee based on your skills, experience and area of interest / business sector. Wherever possible, we will endeavour to match mentors with mentees who are starting out in a similar field of work. You will always be asked to meet the young person before we confirm the match, to ensure that there is a rapport between you both.
Person specification
We are looking for mentors who:
Can commit to volunteering for at least 2 hours per month
Have experience of setting up / running their own business
Have good business links within Dundee and/or surrounding areas
Are keen to work with young people and have an interest in supporting new businesses
Can be sensitive when working with young people with additional needs
Hours
2-4 hours per month (depending on how many clients you choose to support)
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Your role will involve:
Attending mentor training prior to being matched with your first client
Meeting with your mentee once a month to discuss their progress and support them with any questions they have in relation to their business
Work with the Enterprise Manager to support your mentee to access appropriate training or additional support,
Keep a log of your mentoring meetings and send this to the Enterprise Manager on a monthly basis
Why should I volunteer?
Apart from having the satisfaction of being able to help a young person develop their skills and confidence and have the best chance of succeeding in their business area, mentoring with Launch It Dundee has many potential benefits for you:
Be involved with a unique new charity that is contributing to Dundee’s regeneration
The chance to work with – and learn from – innovative, inspirational young people
An opportunity to enhance and develop your own skill set
Personal and professional development
The opportunity to build local links across Dundee
Application process
Please send your CV together with a short motivation letter to shabana@lyst.biz
Launch It Dundee
London Youth Support Trust (LYST) was established in 2000 with a simple aim: to break down the barriers young entrepreneurs from deprived backgrounds face when starting their own business; these included a lack of affordable workspace, finance, advice and support.
