01 Jun 25 How to Keep Mentoring Momentum Going Over the Summer
Practical tips for mentoring programme managers and mentors to stay connected, reflective, and ready for the next chapter during the summer break.
As summer approaches, many mentoring programmes might begin to slow down. Academic university and school terms wrap up, workplace priorities shift, and calendars become increasingly filled with annual leave, travel plans, or quieter office hours (hurray!). But while the pace may ease, this doesn’t mean mentoring should grind to a halt.
In fact, summer offers a unique window of opportunity for reflection, light-touch engagement, and preparing for a strong return in the autumn.
In this article, we’ll be sharing some practical ways that mentoring programme managers, mentors and mentees can maintain mentoring momentum over the summer months, without overwhelming anyone’s schedule or interrupting your other plans, we all need a good work-life balance!
Whether you manage a university, charity, or business mentoring programme, these simple strategies can help your programme stay warm, over the break.
Why Momentum Matters
It can be quite common for mentoring to experience a natural lull over summer, but letting relationships or engagement fade too much can create an uphill battle when things resume in September. Here’s why staying gently active is beneficial:
- Prevents drop-off When momentum stalls, it’s easier for participants to disengage entirely.
- Encourages reflection Summer offers breathing space to pause, review, and reset.
- Builds continuity Regular but light-touch contact keeps relationships strong.
- Prepares for the next phase Small actions now lead to a smoother start later.
For Programme Managers: Summer Engagement Strategies
If you manage or coordinate a mentoring programme, here are ways you can stay connected with mentors and mentees during quieter months:
Send a Summer Newsletter
Use a mid-year email to check in, share helpful resources, and remind participants they’re part of a bigger picture. Include:
- Programme highlights so far
- Testimonials or quotes from mentors/mentees
- Reminders about next steps or autumn plans
- Light-touch reflection prompts
If you’re a sfG MentorNet administrator, you can send out communications via the platform.
Offer Reflection Templates
Encourage mentors and mentees to take stock of their progress. Provide downloadable templates or short surveys with questions like:
- What have you achieved together so far?
- What’s been your biggest insight?
- What would you like to focus on next?
Share Content and Resources
Keep engagement alive by sharing relevant articles, podcasts, or video clips related to mentoring, leadership, or personal development. These can easily be uploaded to your resources section in sfG MentorNet, with the ability to notify users of new content
Run a Short Feedback Survey
Midway through the year is a great time to gather insight. A short survey can help you learn what’s working, what’s not, and how people are feeling about the programme. You can send customisable evaluation forms from sfG MentorNet, too!
Host an Informal Virtual Drop-In
Consider offering an optional online session for mentors or mentees to connect, ask questions, or simply reflect with others in the programme.
Plan for Autumn Early
Use this time to:
- Schedule future events
- Review your programme timeline
- Update training materials
- Recruit new mentors if needed
For Mentors and Mentees: Keeping the Connection Alive
Summer doesn’t need to be full of formal sessions, but staying lightly connected can really help maintain rapport and progress.
Here’s how mentors and mentees can continue their journey over summer:
Schedule a Light-Touch Check-In
Even a 30-minute call or message exchange can:
- Maintain trust
- Provide support during transitions (like leaving university or starting a new job)
- Revisit goals or identify new ones
Share a Mid-Year Review
Take time to reflect individually or together. You might explore:
- What have we learned from each other?
- What challenges have we navigated?
- What goals are still ahead?
Engage in Shared Learning
Pick a short book, podcast episode, or article to read/listen to and discuss. This keeps mentoring active without needing lengthy meetings.
Plan Ahead
Use the summer to schedule sessions or goal-setting chats for the autumn term. Having something booked in helps both parties feel committed.
Tips for Maintaining Momentum Without Burnout
The goal over summer is not to pressure participants, but to keep the energy and connection gently alive. Here’s how:
- Make everything optional – Offer opportunities but don’t require attendance.
- Keep activities short and manageable – Think 5-minute reflections, 30-minute calls.
- Normalise flexibility – Acknowledge holidays and quiet periods.
- Celebrate rest – Encourage people to use the time to recharge too.
Supporting Programme Wellbeing
For programme managers, summer is also an ideal time to reflect on your own process. Consider asking yourself:
- How is mentor-mentee matching working?
- Are mentors getting the right support?
- What barriers are we seeing to engagement?
You might:
- Host a mentor debrief session
- Review user feedback on your mentoring platform (like sfG MentorNet!)
- Look at your reporting data to spot trends
Remember: consistency beats intensity. A few small touchpoints can have more impact than a rush of activity in the autumn.
How sfG MentorNet Can Help
Our mentoring platform is designed to make running a mentoring programme simpler, more organised, and easier to maintain…even during quieter periods. With features like:
- Reminders + Notifications
- Built-in feedback tools
- Resource sharing functions
- Secure messaging and tracking
…you can support your community with minimal manual effort.
Want to see it in action? Get in touch for a free demo.
Final Thoughts
Summer is a chance to breathe, but by taking small, proactive steps, mentoring programmes can stay connected, reflective, and ready to grow when everyone returns in full swing,
Whether it’s a short email, a virtual check-in, or a shared resource, every small action helps build continuity.
For more mentoring tips and resources, visit our blog or follow us on social media. Need help managing your programme year-round? Learn more about how sfG MentorNet can support your success.