An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Sussex Mentoring Programme as a volunteer mentor, supporting visually impaired young people across Sussex. Generously funded by and working in partnership with Blatchington Court Trust, our Sussex Mentoring Programme connects VI young people with mentors who share similar lived experiences, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support.
At LOOK, we believe no one should navigate sight loss alone. Through peer mentoring, we help young people build confidence, develop independence, and feel part of a supportive community. As a mentor, you’ll play a key role in empowering others while gaining valuable skills and connections yourself.
If you’re ready to be part of a supportive community, develop new skills and make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!
What is Mentoring we hear you ask…
In this video mentor Chloe fills you in on what a LOOK mentor does.
Sussex Mentoring is a twelve-month partnership that pairs mentees, aged between 11-29 years of age, living in East Sussex, West Sussex or Brighton & Hove, with a mentor who has shared lived experiences. The mentor offers valuable guidance and practical advice on a range of important topics, including life hacks, self-advocacy skills, developing a strong sense of identity, and navigating friendships.
As a Mentor, you will communicate with your mentee weekly through written messages on our secure mentoring platform and participate in regular, scheduled group Zoom calls. You’ll have access to plenty of resources to support your conversations, regular check-ins with our Mentoring Project Officer, and mentor supervision sessions.
Who can be a Mentor?
As mentor Pricilla highlights you don’t need prior experience to become a LOOK mentor, as long as you are aged 18-35, visually impaired, and living in East Sussex, West Sussex or Brighton & Hove, you can be a LOOK Sussex Mentor. Your experiences and the advice you have to share are invaluable to the young people in our mentee community.
Below are some of the qualities we look for in LOOK mentors:
- Listening skills
- Empathy
- Understanding of issues and challenges faced by others with VI
- Willingness to support
- Confident written communicator
- Commitment to the project
- Willingness to learn – from trainers, from others on the programme and from LOOK staff.
- Approach to training: must be positive, willing, and engaged
- Willingness and ability to reflect on personal experience and engage in self-development
Why become a Mentor?
Becoming a LOOK mentor is a fantastic way to give back to the VI community by using your own lived experiences to help guide someone through their challenges. As LOOK mentor Jessie highlights in this video, mentoring is not just about supporting others; it can also boost your confidence, introduce you to new people, and open up pathways to exciting opportunities. It’s a rewarding experience fostering, personal growth and creating lasting connections.
What impact does mentoring have?
“I enjoy learning from my mentee and building a connection and a bond.” LOOK, Mentor
LOOK mentor Sammy shares how becoming part of the LOOK mentoring family has impacted him.
How to apply to become a LOOK Sussex Mentor
To apply you must be aged 18-35 years and be visually impaired living in East Sussex, West Sussex or Brighton & Hove.
To apply, complete the application form here and submit it by 4th April 2025. If you need any support with your application, please email: maria@look-uk.org
Suitability to become a mentor on the LOOK mentoring programme is assessed through the written application form and your participation in the training sessions. You must also have a DBS certificate, which we process and renew every three years.
If you are successful in your assessment, you will be matched with an online mentee. This match will be based on the information you provided in your application form, during training, and in your personal profile.
Mentor Training
We offer a comprehensive training programme for all Sussex Mentors. This includes a 1-day training workshop which will cover all aspects of the mentor programme including:
- Using the Brightside mentoring platform
- Communication skills and managing challenging conversations
- Safeguarding awareness
Mentor training will be held from 9am -5pm on Saturday 12th April 2025.
Venue: Blatchington Court Trust, 6A Hove Park Villas, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 6HW.
Mentor training is an excellent opportunity to make new connections within the VI community with your fellow volunteer Mentors, and discover how you can get involved with other LOOK opportunities.
LOOK Resources
Curious about the types of topics you might discuss with your mentee? Explore our ‘Ask a Mentor’ blog series for insights and examples. These blogs offer a glimpse into common questions, shared experiences, and valuable advice that mentors provide, covering everything from navigating university life to building confidence and independence.
About LOOK
LOOK is an organisation that supports visually impaired young people to thrive.
Our flagship Mentor Project connects visually impaired young people aged 18-35 with younger VI individuals to share lived experiences and practical life tips. LOOK also offers a Parent Support Group for families affected by visual impairment, along with hosting various events, including LOOKFest—an all-age, VI-accessible festival where many LOOK Mentors volunteer.
For any questions related to being a LOOK Mentor, please send an email to info@look-uk.org