A good ending can help both of you put what you’ve learned into action at work – so it’s an important part of the mentoring process.
Keep communicating
If things have changed
If the relationship is petering out, or agreed goals change, it’s fine to bring up the prospect of ending your work together earlier. Sometimes, you may have an early ending to your relationship because of changes like these. It’s totally natural and no-one’s fault, so it’s important to try not to take it personally.
Towards the end of your time together
With the CharityComms scheme, mentoring takes place for six months, and we’ll email you both an evaluation form at that time. You can choose to finish early if you would like or continue to meet once the six months has finished, outside of the official mentoring scheme.
Before the final meeting
Think about what progress has been made
Talk about what you have both noticed. For example, if, as a mentee, you’ve become better at problem solving or leading their team, discussing it can help you consider what it was that caused a change (and how, as a mentor, you’ve contributed to that change).
The final session
Revisit goals
Talk about what has been achieved and how they got there.
Talk about the future
Discuss other professional plans and how learnings from the mentoring process might help. It’s a good idea to consider whether you’ll keep in touch and how.
Reflect on your work together
Talk about what you both found useful about mentoring and what could have been different. You can use this information to help with your own career and any future mentoring relationships.
After the final meeting
Tell us how it went
Send us your completed evaluation form and let us know how it went. And, if you want to, you can go back on to the directory and work with a new mentee/mentor.
Take feedback on board
If a mentee fills out our evaluation form, we will pass on their feedback to you which can help you think about what you’ve learnt from being a mentor.
“Being flexible and not taking things personally is useful when you’re approaching the end of your mentoring relationship. I wasn’t frustrated by the early endings I’ve had with two mentees. It was absolutely fine. I was able to support them with what they needed and they no longer needed the support.”
“Through being a mentor, I’ve learnt the skills to help somebody come up with the answers themselves and to help them feel empowered to do their job better. The skills I've learnt in that area have been immense. Also, I’ve found I have case studies already in my head when I come to write my CV or talk in my appraisal, as I’ve spent time discussing experiences with my mentee.”
