The DPC is delighted to share an upcoming development opportunity with members. The National Archives is currently looking for volunteer mentors for its digital peer mentor programme. The mentor program is a great way to connect with and support a mentee for a six month digital project, with mentor support throughout the programme, and we encourage DPC members to participate. More information is provided below.
Could you be a digital mentor?
The National Archives has been supporting UK archives achieve their digital ambitions through a mentoring programme since 2020.
Our next round begins in January 2025 and we are looking for mentors to join the programme! Mentors are matched with a mentee for a six month digital project. You meet fortnightly (remotely) with your mentee over that time to support them through a digital project, formed by them with your support. We offer full training for mentors and welcome professionals who have not mentored before but are looking to continue their professional development with this opportunity. Mentors are fully supported throughout the programme by a professional mentoring coach.
Mentees may be working in local record offices, business archives, universities museums or other parts of the sector.
If you would be interested in participating in the programme, drop me an email (caroline.catchpole@nationalarchives.gov.uk ) and tell me in which of the following areas you think you might be able to provide support:
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Digital preservation
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Digital engagement (web services, storytelling, design or social media)
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Digital strategy
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Data analysis
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Digitisation
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Academic collaboration
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User research
Your expertise may be concentrated in a single area or several – this is to help us match mentees with mentors who can support their needs and interests.
I’m also happy to have an informal chat about the programme and how it works, we are looking for expressions of interest rather than cast iron commitments at this stage and the possibility exists that you may not be matched, should the mentee cohort be interested in some areas and not others.
Mentoring is hugely rewarding and I hope colleagues with digital skills across the sector will be interested in this opportunity.
Caroline Catchpole
Digital Capacity Development Officer
Public Engagement and Sector Leadership
The National Archives