We need more mentors to help our students
Become a One Degree Mentor
Volunteers are the Heart of One Degree
At One Degree, our mentors, ambassadors, and teachers are more than just volunteers—they’re lifelines for students often overlooked in their schools and communities. By offering direction, encouragement, and a sense of possibility, our volunteers transform lives while experiencing the profound reward of making a real, tangible impact.
Most of our mentors are young professionals, bringing passion, patience, and empathy to help GCSE/Year 11 students (ages 15–16) navigate their challenges. These volunteers serve as role models, guiding students who might otherwise feel left behind toward brighter futures.
To foster meaningful connections and provide continuity, we ask volunteers to commit to at least three in-person or online sessions per year. This ensures students build trust and form bonds with the people dedicated to helping them succeed.
Join us and be the difference that changes a life.
Would you like me to focus on a specific tone or add more details?
What time commitments are required?
- Mentor registration (2 minutes)
- Online mentor training course (30 minutes)
- Online safeguarding course (30 minutes)
- Online DBS/CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check (15 minutes)
- Online personalised 1-on-1 mentor training (2 x 30 minutes)
Total time needed to become a mentor – approximately 2.5 hours
- Choose availability that fits your schedule – whether it’s 5 hours a week or just 30 minutes a month.
- Mentor online from anywhere in the world.
- Adjust your availability as your circumstances change.
- Focus on mentoring subjects you’re confident in.
- Access support from our experienced teachers and tutors.
Total time needed to be a mentor – flexible
What it takes
Anyone who meets the following criteria is welcome to apply:
- Able to volunteer a minimum of three sessions per programme
- Patient, empathetic and considerate
- Willing to participate in group activities and sports
Important Note! You do NOT need exceptional skills in Maths or English, or previous mentoring or teaching experience to be a One Degree mentor.
What’s in it for you
In-person sessions – Our dynamic programme makes volunteering at One Degree a fun and stimulating way to spend your Saturdays. You will be able to interact with people who share your passion and have the opportunity to listen to fantastic, inspiring speakers. Participating in this environment will broaden your personal horizons as you make a meaningful impact and help to develop tomorrow’s leaders. You will also gain new communication skills that can be used in your business and personal relationships.
Online – Our innovative online version of our Saturday programme combines group and 1-on-1 support via our custom-built online network.
We offer ad-hoc midweek evening mentoring for our GCSE students and programme alumni:
- This is optional – you can be a midweek afternoon/evening mentor in addition to or in place of Saturday online / in-person mentoring
- This is flexible – with no set days and times, you can make yourself available based on YOUR schedule and you can update availability with our new integrated calendar system (training required here)
- This is innovative – during our 30-minute 1-on-1 training we will run through this new addition to our custom-built online mentoring platform where you can a) connect your personal and work calendars b) select provisional availability and c) be booked by One Degree students based on their availability, your availability or by mentor speciality. This also now extends to supporting One Degree alumni.
Register your interest!
Register your details and we will send you more information.
There are lots of ways you can get involved
Become a GCSE
Mentor
Become a GCSE
Mentor
Becoming a mentor is extremely easy and there are many willing mentors available to help you out and lend advice. The steps below will guide you through what to do next:
Step 1: Watch our online mentor training here
Step 2: Register Here
Become a Career Mentor
Become a Career Mentor
If you are able to help post programme then please do sign up for some career mentoring. This involves meeting up with students one-on-one post GCSE exams to help guide them personally, academically and career wise a few times per year. You can contact us here if you are able and willing.
Join Our Online Network
Join Our Online Network
- Receive our charity updates and connect with other professionals and our One Degree supporters network via our public LinkedIn group here.
- Join our ‘private mentor only’ LinkedIn group here and receive One Degree session updates, meet-ups and social event updates.
- Read latest mentor updates/newsletters here.
Join Our Development Board
Join Our Development Board
Our Development Board is a group of One Degree alumni, London professionals, and education experts that meet quarterly to achieve strategic targets set by our Trustee Board. As high level volunteers dedicated to the cause, they make a direct difference to the charity’s growth. Through their ideas, fundraising and introductions to new networks of support, they commit a minimum of one year of year time to help develop One Degree. Members of the Development Board also benefit from opportunities to see the difference they are making first-hand, and to network with other business leaders in an informal setting. Sign up to our Development Board here. Interested in being on our Trustee Board? Find out more via our Jobs page here.
Become a Guest Speaker
Become a Guest Speaker
Have you got a story to tell? Have you had an interesting career journey? Or would you simply like to tell our students about how you got where you are or impart some wisdom? Guest speaker slots can be anything from 20 mins to 1 hour and will take place on Saturdays towards the end of our programme day at around 3pm. Let us know, we would love to have you as a guest speaker. Contact Us
Become an online mentor
Become an online mentor
We offer online mentoring for current students and alumni both during our programmes and outside of programme times. This is ideal for mentors who either want to mentor more or are unable to join our in-person Saturday sessions.
You will have to register as a normal mentor here and participate in at least one training session per year.
Online mentors can then register here. Please note that for safeguarding reasons we cannot approve mentors onto our online platform without training and paperwork in order.
Case Study
Myron – 2015
Myron joined One Degree in 2014. He was on E for Maths and a D for English when he first started school in London but with One Degree’s help he got B in maths and B in English. Myron told us that he felt very lucky to be on the programme as it was an opportunity he didn’t want to take for granted. Improvement in English and Maths also helped him in other subjects as well as with his communication skills.
Become a Mentor
Ready to apply? Fill in a short form and we will get in contact to discuss getting you involved in One Degree. If you have any questions, please ask away!