Supporting Code Club mentors

Code Clubs thrive on the energy and dedication of volunteer mentors. These amazing individuals generously give their time and expertise to inspire the next generation of coders. But even the most enthusiastic volunteer needs support! Here are some ways to show your appreciation and keep your mentors engaged.

Volunteer mentors help to keep Code Clubs running.

Recognise and appreciate

There are some easy ways to show how much you value the support of the mentors at your Code Club: 

• Regular shout-outs: Publicly acknowledge mentors’ contributions during club sessions, in newsletters, or on social media.
• Small gestures: A simple “thank you” goes a long way. Why not suggest that the young creators code a thank-you card for their mentors at the end of the term? 
• Celebrate milestones: Mark anniversaries of mentors’ involvement — for example, after they’ve been volunteering for six months. Also, celebrate their successes — this could be when a mentor has supported a creator to enter Coolest Projects or send their code to space with the European Astro Pi Challenge.

Provide ongoing training and development

Not all mentors will come from a coding background. You can show your support and make them feel like valued members of your Code Club by helping them gain new skills and confidence: 

• Workshops and webinars: Encourage mentors to take advantage of the many online workshops and webinars offered by Code Club. Interested mentors can learn new coding languages, concepts, and mentoring techniques in a supportive, friendly environment.
• Peer mentoring: Pair experienced mentors with newer ones for guidance and support.
• Access to resources: Point mentors towards the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s bank of free courses. If there’s an article or book you’ve found helpful, share it with them. Everyone loves a recommendation!

Create a supportive community

When we create a supportive community we provide a space for mentors to share experiences, challenges, and successes with others. There are some easy ways to do this: 

• Regular meetings: Organise regular meetings for mentors to connect, share ideas, and discuss challenges.
• Online communication: All mentors can join our Code Club Slack instance. In this online forum, mentors can chat to each other, get inspired, and find answers to a range of questions from our friendly global community. 
• Coffee and conversation: Encourage mentors to sign up for Code Club online meetups. There’s no agenda at these meetups — they’re just a space for mentors and club leaders to share ideas, ask questions, and collaborate. 

Value their time and expertise

No matter your mentors’ backgrounds, they have something to offer your Code Club! Make sure you value their time and set clear expectations from the beginning. This will help with volunteer burnout and ensure everyone has a rewarding experience. 

• Clear expectations: Communicate clearly about the time commitment and responsibilities involved in being a mentor at your club.
• Flexibility: Be flexible with scheduling and allow mentors to contribute in ways that suit their skills and availability.
• Listen to feedback: Actively seek and respond to mentors’ suggestions for club improvements.

These tips will help create a positive and inclusive Code Club environment, where all mentors feel welcome and valued. 

Show your appreciation for your Code Club mentors at your next session. Use our ‘From me to you‘ Scratch project to create a personalised thank-you card.