Black Activists Mentoring Scheme

Why the scheme has been set up?

The TUC and its affiliate unions have a clear commitment to promote equality for all and to eliminate all forms of harassment, prejudice and unfair discrimination, both within its own structures and through all its activities, including its own employment practices.

The TUC Race Relations Committee is working to ensure that Black workers[1] are properly represented in the trade union movement and at all levels of its lay and full time structures, The Race Relations Committee have set up a mentoring scheme for Black trade union activists as part of their strategy to support the organization and advancement of Black workers within the trade union movement.

Who is the scheme for?

The TUC Race Relations Committee has set up a mentoring scheme to provide a way for experienced Black trade union activists to assist and support new and less experienced activists develop and enhance their knowledge of the trade union movement.

How do I get on the scheme?

An application form for Black activists who want to be mentored can be obtained from www.tuceducation.org.uk/RRCmentoring.  Applicants to be mentees on the scheme should be nominated by their trade union. A nomination can be obtained from your union through your Regional or national Equalities or Education officer. 

In order to verify nomination your mentees application form should be signed by your Equalities Officer or Education Officer in the space provided.  If you are not sure who to speak to within your trade union to verify your nomination please contact wsullivan@tuc.org.uk

How does the scheme work?

The scheme will be operated through an online portal on the TUC Education web site.  Once you are accepted onto the scheme you will be able to access the web site and see what mentors are available.  Once you have identified a mentor who you wish to be mentored by you will be able to contact them directly through the website.

Mentors and mentees pair on a self-select basis which means that a mentoring arrangement will only start if both the mentor and mentee agree.

Mentors and mentees will be able to obtain information about each other through profiles that will be available on the website

Any goals or outcomes for the mentoring arrangement will be agreed between you and your mentor.

There are a limited number of mentors available. When a mentor is unavailable because they have agreed mentoring arrangements their profile will be greyed out on the website.

If all the profiles are greyed out it means that there are currently no mentors available   and mentees will have to wait for a mentor to become available.

If you experience any problems with the scheme please contact Wilf Sullivan, TUC Race Equality officer, wsullivan@tuc.org.uk