Online mentor - Brightside Connect

For many young people, deciding what comes after sixth form or college can feel overwhelming. Whether it's university, apprenticeships, employment, or something else entirely, the choices are significant, and not everyone has someone they can turn to for advice, encouragement and insight.

As a Brightside Connect Mentor, you can help change that.

Brightside is recruiting volunteer online mentors to support 16-19-year-olds from more than 100 schools, sixth forms and colleges across the UK as they explore their future options. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and career paths, including university students, apprentices, graduates and working professionals.

Over 12 weeks, you'll build a mentoring relationship with a young person through Brightside's secure online mentoring platform, sharing your experiences, answering questions, and helping them make informed decisions about their future. A key feature of the programme is choice: young people browse mentor profiles and select someone whose experiences resonate with them, helping to create stronger, more meaningful mentoring relationships from the outset.

Whether you're reflecting on your journey through higher education, explaining what it's like to be an apprentice, or sharing lessons from your career so far, your insight can help a young person feel more confident about the opportunities available to them.

The programme offers both asynchronous text-based mentoring and live video calls, giving mentors and mentees the flexibility to connect in ways that work for them while building a meaningful relationship over time. All video calls are recorded in line with Brightside's safeguarding approach, helping to create a safe and trusted environment for everyone involved. Most mentors volunteer for just 1-2 hours a week.

You don't need any previous mentoring experience. We'll provide training, guidance and ongoing support, and we'll complete your DBS check before the programme begins. The programme launches on Monday 21 September, with onboarding, training and DBS checks taking place over the summer.

With 23 years' experience supporting young people through mentoring, Brightside operates the UK's safest online mentoring platform, combining robust safeguarding, moderation and support with meaningful opportunities for young people and volunteers to connect, learn and grow.

By sharing your experiences, you can help a young person broaden their horizons, build confidence, and take their next step with greater clarity and ambition.

Join us and help ensure every young person has access to the guidance, encouragement and role models they need to succeed.