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25 Aug 25 Keeping Mentors & Mentees Engaged All Year Round

Posted at 10:35h in News by

We’ve all been there… the start of a mentoring programme is full of energy. Matches are made, introductions are happening and everyone is buzzing with excitement about what’s ahead.

Then, a few months in, you notice it, enthusiasm starts to dip. Life gets busy, check-ins become less frequent, and momentum begins to slow.

At sfG MentorNet, we’ve spoken with customers from time to time who have seen this happen in their own programmes and something we have learned throughout our years of experience is: engagement doesn’t just happen, it’s something you have to nurture.

 

Here’s how we believe you can keep your mentors and mentees active, committed, and inspired all year long.

  1. Start Strong, and Stay in Touch

It’s easy to put all your energy into onboarding, but what happens next matters even more.

As programme managers, we need to build in regular touchpoints. This could be a monthly update email, a short check-in call, or even an online survey to see how everyone’s feeling.

Tip: Use your platform (like sfG MentorNet!) to send reminders, resources, and encouragement to keep people engaged without adding to your admin load.

 

  1. Celebrate the Small Wins

Not every success story will be a career-changing promotion or a new business launch and that’s okay.

Did a mentor help a mentee prepare for a presentation?

Did a mentee share that their confidence has grown?

Take the opportunity to share these stories. Celebrating progress, no matter how small, helps people feel their efforts are making a difference.

 

  1. Provide Ongoing Value

One of the biggest engagement killers is when the conversations feel repetitive or stagnant.

We recommend providing fresh resources throughout the year such as articles, videos, or workshop invites. Even better, tailor these resources to the goals of your participants.

In sfG MentorNet, you can share materials directly within the platform, so mentors and mentees have easy access when they need it most.

 

  1. Mix It Up with Group Activities

Mentoring is often one-to-one, but that doesn’t mean it has to be one-dimensional. Consider adding optional group activities like virtual networking sessions, themed Q&A panels with industry experts, or even informal coffee catch-ups.

This might even prove a great opportunity to use the forums within sfG MentorNet to stir up some group discussion.

This builds a sense of community and allows participants to learn from more than just their assigned partner.

 

  1. Ask for Feedback — and Act on It

People engage more when they feel heard.

Check in with both mentors and mentees about what’s working and what isn’t by sending out surveys from sfG MentorNet.

If you notice a common theme in feedback, make changes, and let people know you’ve acted on their suggestions. This builds trust and shows you value their experience.

 

  1. Recognise Mentors

Mentors are often giving their time voluntarily. Publicly recognising their contribution whether that’s in a newsletter, a LinkedIn post, or at an end-of-year celebration goes a long way in keeping them motivated. Some of our customers provide certification on completion of the mentoring programme, providing extra incentive to their participants!

 

  1. Keep the Admin Simple

Nothing disengages participants faster than clunky admin.

If scheduling meetings, logging progress, or finding contact details becomes a chore, people will drift.

That’s why sfG MentorNet was designed to make everything easy to manage so the focus stays on the relationship, not the paperwork.

 

Your Mentoring Engagement Boost Checklist

If you want a quick reference to keep momentum going, here’s our go-to checklist:

  • Send regular updates and encouragement
  • Celebrate wins, big and small
  • Keep providing new resources
  • Host occasional group activities
  • Gather and act on feedback
  • Show appreciation for mentors
  • Make admin and tracking easy

 

Final Thoughts on Mentoring Engagement

Engagement isn’t about one big push it’s about consistent, thoughtful touches that keep people feeling connected and supported.

At sfG MentorNet, we believe that when you give mentors and mentees the right tools, the right environment, and the right encouragement, they’ll thrive and so will your programme.

If you’d like to see how we can help you keep your programme buzzing all year round, we’d love to show you. Get in touch with us today.

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