History of the Scottish Mentoring Network

The Scottish Mentoring Network (SMN) has been supporting and championing mentoring across Scotland since 1997. What began as an informal group of individuals and organisations with a shared interest in mentoring has grown into the national hub for mentoring development, quality and collaboration.


Our Beginnings: 1997–2005

SMN was initially formed as a voluntary collective that aimed to share learning and promote the value of mentoring. As interest in mentoring grew, so did the number and diversity of organisations offering mentoring support across Scotland.


A key milestone came in April 2005, when funding from the Scottish Executive enabled SMN to formalise its operations. This allowed us to employ our first National Development Manager and deliver a planned programme of work over a two-year period – establishing the foundation for our long-term development.

Growing National Impact: 2005–2010

Continued support from the Scottish Government enabled SMN to expand its services and strengthen Scotland’s mentoring infrastructure. With additional funding from the Big Lottery Dynamic Inclusive Communities Fund, we developed a core package of support for mentoring projects, including:

  • Thematic networks
  • The SMN Project Quality Award
  • A national evaluation framework
  • Our annual conference and recognition awards

These initiatives helped raise standards, improve consistency, and build confidence in mentoring as an effective approach to supporting individuals and communities.


Strengthening Mentoring Practice Across Scotland

Our current funding has enabled us to expand the services we provide to organisations developing or enhancing mentoring programmes. Our Mentoring in Practice service offers comprehensive support, tailored guidance and the collaborative approach required for successful programme development.


We have supported a wide range of organisations, including:

SHMU, SCVO CJS, The Robertson Trust, Children 1st, Cloch Housing Association, Didasko Education, Positive Changes (Scotland), SCAPP, Scottish Refugee Council, NHS Health Improvement Service (HMP Barlinnie), Glasgow School of Art, Parent Network Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Sustrans, Working Rite, River Clyde Homes, SSERC, Optos, Link Living, Why Not Trust, National Trust for Scotland and Highland Third Sector Interface.


Partnerships and Sector Leadership

Collaboration has always been central to SMN’s work. Over the years, we have partnered with key national organisations and initiatives to strengthen mentoring for priority groups, including care-experienced young people and those at risk of offending.

Previous partnership work includes:

  • A Promise-funded research project with intandem and YMCA Scotland, mapping mentoring for care-experienced children and young people.
  • Supporting six Public Social Partnerships (PSPs) funded by the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund (RRCF) to reduce reoffending among women offenders and persistent young male offenders. The independent evaluation published in 2016 concluded that mentoring is an effective approach to reducing risk factors linked to offending behaviour.
  • Partnership with the Life Changes Trust to support a pilot peer mentoring programme designed to improve outcomes for care-experienced young people transitioning from care.
  • Supporting the Scottish Government to develop a long-term National Mentoring Scheme for young people looked after at home.
  • Working with intandem & YMCA Scotland to conduct a mapping exercise of mentoring services available to care experienced young people in Scotland. Funded by The Promise.

We continue to support Inspiring Scotland in delivering its intandem mentoring programme for young people aged 8–14 who are looked after by their local authority but living at home. More information on intandem partner charities is available on SMN’s Mentoring Map.


Our Ongoing Strength: A Shared Network of Experience

The strength of the Scottish Mentoring Network lies in the expertise, commitment and diversity of our member organisations. By facilitating opportunities to share best practice at local, thematic and national levels, we help ensure Scotland’s mentoring community continues to learn, improve and innovate.


SMN remains committed to supporting high-quality mentoring that changes lives, strengthens communities and contributes to a fairer, more inclusive Scotland.