NRL’s Egremont Recruitment team are delighted to announce their collaboration with in-Cumbria on She Leads, a new initiative aimed at fostering career and personal development among women in the Cumbrian region.
The She Leads mentor programme, which has now opened for applications, is a pioneering initiative designed to support women across Cumbria in their professional and personal development. This 12-month mentorship programme partners participants with accomplished female leaders from some of the region’s most prestigious businesses, offering one-to-one guidance and support.
Empowering women at every stage of their career
The She Leads mentor programme is open to all women over the age of 18 who reside in Cumbria, regardless of their career stage. Whether applicants are taking their first professional steps, aspiring to leadership, returning to work after a career break, or running their own business, this initiative is designed to provide the tailored support and guidance they need to progress in their careers.
Rebecca Graves, NRL’s Egremont Branch Director, shares her vision for the newly launched initiative:
“The She Leads mentor programme is about creating opportunities for women to learn from each other. By connecting ambitious women with experienced female business leaders, we hope to foster meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships.
It’s a huge driving force for me to nurture, encourage and inspire our future female leaders and having spoken to other leading business professionals they share the same passion about this initiative – so we’re excited to see the meaningful impact it will have and I’m personally keen to start working with my mentee.
Through the programme, we’re hoping to reach women from all walks of life. You might be looking to refine your leadership skills, gain confidence in decision-making, need support with your small business, or want to explore a new career path that better aligns with your family life.
Whatever your ambitions, we encourage you to apply and take advantage of the support from our incredible mentors.”
Rebecca is joined as a mentor by Newsquest’s Cumbria Regional Editor, Joy Yates, publishers of in-Cumbria business magazine. She echoes the same sentiment about the programme:
“We are extremely fortunate in Cumbria to have a plethora of female business leaders covering an extensive range of industries.
Bringing some of these women together to offer the She Leads mentoring programme will provide an exceptional opportunity for next generation leaders to benefit from their expertise.
I am honoured to be part of the first cohort and hope this will appeal to many women at various junctures on their career path.
No leadership journey is flawless, so we’ll be sharing the highs and the lows, the excitement and the challenges. It will be an open, honest and transparent environment and I am confident I will equally benefit from the programme as businesses in Cumbria continue to rapidly evolve and grow.”
How the mentor programme works
Mentors will dedicate a minimum of 2 hours per month to their mentees, with each partnership tailored to individual needs, including flexibility in how sessions are structured.
Rather than following set criteria, She Leads will allow participants to define their own objectives, in collaboration with their mentor.
Participants will be asked for feedback throughout the programme, with regular check-ins to ensure everyone is progressing at a pace that works for them.
Raising up women in Cumbria
Those people selected to join the mentor programme, will benefit from direct access to the knowledge and experience of the region’s top female business leaders.
Participating in a mentor programme can offer numerous benefits for participants, enhancing their personal and professional development in substantial ways. Here are a few advantages:
- Guidance and support: valuable advice and support from experienced professionals
- Increased confidence: engaging with mentors who share similar experiences or have overcome similar barriers can boost confidence and decision-making skills
- Skills development: the opportunity to develop new skills and refine existing ones
- Access to female leaders: learn from inspiring female leaders who have successfully navigated their own careers
- Personal growth: support and encouragement from mentors can empower mentees to set ambitious goals and pursue their career objectives
Applications are now open
Applications for the She Leads mentor programme are now open and will close on Friday 23rd May. If you’re interested in joining this empowering initiative, you can apply via the in-Cumbria website. The programme will officially commence in June, with successful applicants being matched with mentors based on their goals and aspirations.
Follow their journey
Throughout the 12-month programme, NRL and in-Cumbria will be sharing stories and updates on the progress of participants. You can follow their journeys on the in-Cumbria website, across social media, and in the monthly magazine.