22/09/2010 - The Principles of State Responsibility and Systemic Intimate Violence
Most solicitors at some time or other in their professional careers have felt the need to talk to somebody who can offer advice. For some, help is at hand, but for others this is more difficult. The AWS runs a successful mentoring scheme which can assist with work-related issues.
Mentoring is a one-to-one non-judgemental relationship in which an individual (the mentor) voluntarily gives of his/her time to support, advise or encourage another person (the mentee).
The AWS mentoring scheme offers an opportunity for mentees to have two conversations with a mentor to discuss specific issues. The most common types of enquiry are about:
Mentees who are considering any of these issues can be put in touch with lawyers who have already faced these situations and can advise from experience.
The scheme does not provide legal advice on the matters raised or offer work experience or training contracts. It does not deal with medical issues such as depression or with forms of psychological counseling. If you are facing an issue which is not covered by the AWS scheme, you may wish to contact LawCare or the Solicitors Support Network.
The scheme offers two conversations aimed at helping a mentee with a specific issue at a specific time. AWS mentors, who give their time on a voluntary basis, aim to listen and to offer constructive advice gained from their own professional experience. Many mentees have attested to how much the scheme has encouraged them and boosted their confidence. Many also appreciate the inside knowledge offered and the unbiased, frank approach to their concerns.
We also have a database of articles that have appeared in past issues of the AWS magazine, Link, and mentees may be sent articles that are relevant to the issue they face.
The AWS is looking for women, at all levels of seniority, who wish to volunteer as mentors. In a recent evaluative study of the scheme mentors responded positively, and spoke of the satisfaction that they received in giving something back to others in the profession.
Mentors fill out a form detailing their professional background; the form is kept on file by the scheme administrator, until a mentee makes a request for the type of advice offered by that particular mentor. Usually the mentor contacts the mentee, as the scheme does not give out a mentor’s contact details unless agreed by the mentor. Mentors generally receive one or two queries a year. Click here for the mentor form.
The AWS has also produced information to help mentors. Click here for the mentor information.
If you would like advice as a mentee, then please complete a form setting out your queries and summarising your professional background. The scheme administrator, a solicitor herself, uses this form to match the mentee with an appropriate mentor. Click here for the mentee form.
The AWS has also produced information to help mentees get the most out of the scheme. Click here for the mentee guidance.
If you would like further information on the AWS mentoring scheme, please email the scheme administrator, providing the following information:
Your name
Address
Telephone number
Email address
The time of day you would like
to be contacted (daytime or
evening)
Brief details of your enquiry
If you know that you would like advice from the scheme or you would like to volunteer as a mentor, please complete the appropriate mentee or mentor forms then email them to the scheme administrator.