Ixion, a not for profit organisation based in Essex, has launched a new way for businesses and individuals to help people that are unemployed across London, Essex, East Anglia and Cambridgeshire with a website dedicated to providing mentoring support to those that need help, guidance and advice in getting into employment or starting their own businesses.
“The Mentor Hive was created to provide an easy way for businesses and their staff to get involved in volunteering and put their skills to new use and help those that are starting a new business for the first time.” Said John Govett, Ixion Group CEO
The inspiration behind The Mentor Hive was to find a way to match people that have work or business experience to individuals that are out of work and need all the support they can get to help them come off benefits. Finding people to mentor was not a problem as Ixion is already helping thousands of people get back into work or self employment and previously provided Business Link services in the East England, however what was needed was a unique ‘Find a Mentor’ solution and a way to make it easy for more people to get involved and volunteer their time.
“It wasn’t a problem at all to register and it is very rewarding and something that needs to be done’ Jim Galpin, Mentor
Feedback to the Mentor Hive has been really positive, and both Mentors and the people they are mentoring are now starting to reap the rewards of getting involved.
“It is really good to know that I can easily contact an appropriate mentor should I need advice or information” Lynne Hayton, Yummy Cakes and More
What does the future hold for the Mentor Hive? Well the main priority is to encourage more people to register as a Mentor; the support needed is so varied, from business planning, people management or marketing support and it is making potential mentors aware that no matter what experience or skills they have, they can help someone that is experiencing work or managing a new business for the first time.
“This has been a new challenge for me – having worked in marketing for more than 10 years, this is an opportunity to use my skills in different and exciting ways and I am really enjoying giving hands on practical marketing advice to new businesses that are just starting out.” Mentor, The Mentor Hive
