Other mentoring schemes
There are of course other ways to access support for you and your business such as coaching and training. So, it's important you think carefully about what help you’re looking for before you embark on mentoring support.
Mentoring isn’t just about the benefits to a mentee. A true mentorship relationship works in both directions. This is what we sometimes call ‘reverse mentoring’. Your mentor gets to learn about innovative ideas, strategies, and tactics from you, just as you'll gain insight and ideas from them.
For more information on mentoring, it's worth having a look at  which provides more detail on what to look for in a mentoring programme, how to find mentor, and what to do if you’d like to become a mentor. And of course, please have a look at our other resources.
Regardless of your location, there are many other schemes up and down the country that could benefit you.
The mentoring schemes we’ve mentioned before – our own The Santander Breakthrough Women Business Leaders' Mentoring Programme | Santander Breakthrough and the support provided by  – are just three examples of mentoring that’s available in the UK for SMEs of all sizes. It’s also important to do your own research to find out what other support might exist in your area or sector. We can’t provide a list to every mentoring programme available, but we’ve provided below some organisations to contact who’ll be able to signpost you further.
Businesses in Wales
- The Business Wales Mentoring Programme  is for business owners who want help to market or grow their business, implement a change in their business, or need inspiration to help deal with a particular challenge.
Businesses in Scotland
- Business Mentoring Scotland  is delivered across Scotland through a partnership between Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
Businesses in Northern Ireland
- Invest Northern Ireland  coordinates a number of programmes for startups and growing businesses.
National ProgrammesÂ
- Â is an online gateway for SMEs looking for mentoring support.
- The Government funded  programme is managed through the UK’s network of local Growth Hubs.