The design of the programme aims to be flexible and realistic in its approach to supporting participants get into business, develop those managing their own existing businesses and to aid career advancement. Mentoring provides a practical support for business and personal development and WINGS aims to draw on the expertise and experiences within our local and regional business communities - working with both men and women as mentors to assist people across the region get into and stay in business, return to work or to develop their career.

The key criteria for the programme:

• Male and female mentors - with relevant experience of business ownership or leadership/management - "real" people who have "been there and done it themselves"
• No experience of mentoring necessary - we will provide training to give you the skills you need
• Pre-start through to growth stages of business development, return to work, career transition
• 6 month renewable agreement
• Self directed mentor/mentee pairing - it has to be the right person and the right personality to make it work
• Free to participants
• Member driven

It is vital to acknowledge that we all are juggling a range of responsibilities and commitments alongside business and/or career aspirations. Therefore, mentoring is a practical process which will support development on personal, professional and business levels. As a development approach, mentoring must consider the reality of modern lives and, in doing so, assist participants to create for themselves time and space to critically reflect and meet the challenges of continuous learning which is vital to building a successful business or career.

For further information about the WINGS mentoring programme, contact Mica MacInnes by e-mail: mica@swansnortheast.co.uk or mobile: 07786 656949.