The call for applications has closed.
5 participants will be selected for the programme cycle running from April-July 2026.
One to One Mentoring
NEMO’s One-to-One Mentoring Programme offers museum professionals in education and learning roles the chance to receive personalised guidance from experienced peers. Through individual online sessions, mentees can set goals, gain insights, and strengthen their skills. This programme is delivered exclusively to NEMO members in partnership with the Group for Education in Museums (GEM).
Next mentoring opportunity
Who can participate?
- The Mentoring programme is open to NEMO member organisations.
- NEMO members may nominate individuals from their network.
- Staff and steering committee members of NEMO members are eligible to apply.
Why take part?
- Personalised support from experienced senior museum professionals.
- Help setting and achieving goals that support your career growth.
- International networking opportunity.
What’s the cost?
- Upon selection, NEMO members participate in the Mentoring Programme free of charge.
- The programme is exclusively available to individuals active within NEMO member organisations.
Apply until 16 February
What to expect
Mentees will be supported and empowered by experienced GEM Mentors in 3-4 online one to one mentoring sessions (each lasting 60-90 minutes). The mentors are senior museum professionals from across the United Kingdom that volunteer their time to the GEM programme to support the career development of sector colleagues, typically those who perform learning functions within their organisations.
Learn more about the programme in the video.
NEMO issues two calls per year, offering 10 professionals connected to NEMO members the chance to benefit from GEM mentors’ expertise. Mentees are carefully matched with mentors based on their goals and priorities. Learn about the impressions and benefits experienced by the participants in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
GEM’s One to One Mentoring Programme is usually exclusive to members of GEM. Therefore, we are incredibly pleased about this partnership that allows us to extend a great training offer to professionals connected to NEMO member organisations. Below, we have summarised important information about the One to One Mentoring programme as offered to NEMO members. You will find more details in GEM's Mentee Information Pack.
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The mentoring agreement
Throughout the mentoring process both the mentor and mentee are expected to:
- Be respectful of each other’s views and experiences.
- Actively listen.
- Be open and honest.
- Understand that the contents of the mentoring sessions are confidential.
- Be aware of the programme expectations.
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What the mentor brings
The mentor shares their experience with the mentee while providing support, advice and assistance in a way that empowers the mentee. To ensure successful mentoring, the mentor will bring:
- Tools, tips and techniques.
- Listening carefully and looking for patterns.
- Facilitation through questioning and reframing to look at something from a different perspective.
- Expertise – whilst we will focus on heritage education there’s a lot of other expertise that we bring as well.
- Signposting to other sources of information - e.g. TED talks, interesting stuff, reading.
- Encouragement – we might challenge your normal comfort zone and we will support your thinking and solution development.
- Keeping up-to-date - what’s happening in the sector as a whole.
Please note that GEM mentors are unable to provide business development or legal support.
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What the mentee brings
A mentee is typically someone who has identified a specific goal that they believe will be achieved with the guidance and help of a mentor. In NEMO's call for applications, people are asked to define their motives, strengths and top 3 priorities for development.
For the mentoring sessions, the mentee is expected to bring:
- Their own experiences.
- An understanding of their motives, strengths and development needs.
- An open mind and willingness to try new things.
- A willingness to learn and grow.
- A commitment to reflection and preparation.
Once the mentor/mentee matches have been made it is the mentee’s responsibility to contact the mentor to arrange the online meetings, prepare for the sessions as well as to reflect on the sessions and how they can take it forward.
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About GEM
GEM - Group for Education in Museums is a thriving and vibrant membership network of over 850 institutional and personal members. Their vision is of a connected and equipped community of people enabling learning across museum, heritage and cultural settings, creating inspiring experiences, relevant for everyone; that promote equality - transform and enrich lives.
NEMO is thrilled about the partnership with GEM, which started in January 2022, since it adds a new layer to NEMO’s capacity building offers for our members.
