Mentorship isn’t just about learning how to run a business. It’s about being seen, challenged and supported by someone who believes in what you’re doing, sometimes even before you do.
When I started The Bereavement Café, it wasn’t born out of a business plan or a strategy meeting. It came from an almost desperate need to make a change. I didn’t want anyone to feel how I did, to feel as lost, alone and desperate to not be in the new life that was unfairly thrust upon my family.
I paid for everything to start up out of my own pocket. Every coffee people had, every bit of room hire, every pop-up banner, printing costs, thousands on certified and accredited grief support training. I wanted to make a difference in schools and communities, and I wanted people to understand me.
As a winner and the inspiration behind the She Inspires Stepping Stone Award, I was introduced to Jackie Hyde from Stanmore Insurance Ltd. As part of winning that Award, I received an amazing contribution of £1,000, but more importantly, something I still couldn’t put a value on to this day, twelve months of mentorship from Jackie.
Jackie saw something in me that she felt compelled to support. She recognised that spark and potential and wanted to help it grow. It was this very experience that inspired her to create the Stepping Stone Award for She Inspires, which is now given annually to a woman who everyone can see is going to go on and do amazing things but just needs a little extra push and support from the right people.
Jackie is still someone I turn to now. She has been a person of influence and trust in many of the decisions I make in business. When I met her, she quickly helped me see that I couldn’t keep running this much-needed service on my own. She signposted me to small funding pots and helped me start the journey of becoming a businesswoman who could run a charity properly. She taught me that I can’t keep giving endlessly, and that to keep helping others, I had to build something sustainable.
Jackie’s time and belief in me completely changed how I work. I learnt how to manage a team, assign roles, and know who and where to ask for help. She connected me with her contacts and shared practical business insight that kept me moving forward. One of her brilliant ideas was to set up a Patronship scheme for anyone who wanted to support what we do, or who had been affected by grief themselves. That is how Friends of The Bereavement Café was born, a small, affordable gesture that starts at just £10 a month but helps us massively reduce costs and keep supporting others.
Jackie has also taught me and really empowered me to understand that what I do is unique, bespoke, one of a kind, and that I should own that confidence and believe in myself. Which is truly what the Stepping Stone Award is all about.
When I think about mentorship more widely, another person who stands out is Maura Jackson, also known as The Feather Fixer. She’s someone I’ve admired from afar for a long time for her leadership and authenticity as the CEO of a large homeless charity here in Bolton. Maura is a powerhouse businesswoman, an incredible leader and a natural teacher. She is also a true Leadership Guru, now offering her own Masterclasses, and a published author with an exceptional book on leadership. I’ve reached out to her a few times over the years for advice in the charity sector, and she has always made time to talk, listen and share her honest thoughts. Those moments of guidance have been priceless. Her words have reminded me that true leadership is about sharing what you know, encouraging others and creating space for people to grow.
I also want to mention Pam Molyneaux, who runs PM Business Ltd, and is a HR specialist, long-time supporter and sponsor. Pam gives me her time and shares her knowledge of HR, wellbeing and policy. She is as passionate as I am about how vital it is for businesses to offer proper grief support to protect employee wellbeing. She’s another one who gives her time freely and answers my random WhatsApp messages and voice notes at all times of the day. Her encouragement and honesty have helped me navigate the business side of what I do with more confidence and clarity.
I’m proud to be able to call Jackie, Maura and Pam friends. That in itself shows the real power of mentorship. It’s proof that collaboration will always create more progress than competition ever could. When we share, support and build each other up, everyone wins.
Over time, I’ve come to see that mentorship doesn’t stop when you’ve been guided, that’s often when it starts to flow the other way. Giving people your time, your experience and your encouragement can create a ripple effect that reaches further than you realise. When we share what we’ve learned, we remind others that they can do it too.
That’s the beauty of mentorship. It isn’t about being the expert. It’s about showing up for someone else, inspiring confidence, and helping them see the value in what they already have. Those small moments of guidance and belief can change everything.
So on National Mentoring Day, I want to say thank you to Jackie, Maura and Pam, and to all those who quietly lift others up behind the scenes. The impact of that time, belief and kindness continues long after the conversation ends.
