Inspirational stories from mentee and mentor of the #WomenInSAR Mentoring Scheme

Enthusiasm and dedication during the latest round of the #WomenInSAR Mentoring Scheme are evident when speaking to mentor Christina Sharun from the Canadian Coast Guard. She believes that mentoring programmes benefit everyone involved.  

“I loved the idea that participating could help expand the network of women in SAR. In my experience, mentorship programmes provide an excellent opportunity for sharing knowledge and serve as a platform for like-minded individuals to support one another,” she stated.  

One memorable experience from her mentoring journey seeing her mentee, Sinead Sharpe from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), grow the RNLI’s women’s community, a group that she helped to spearhead. “She passionately engaged and took decisive action to transform challenging experiences into a supportive network for women in SAR,” Christina added.    

Christina believes effective mentors must be excellent listeners and possess key qualities for success. She states, “Mentorship isn't about simply telling someone what to do; everyone has unique skills, experiences, and situations. A good mentor works closely with their mentee to support their individual objectives.” 

Effective mentors offer a supportive challenge, guiding mentees towards their goals. “It’s not about me building the path for you, it’s about me picking up a shovel and helping you do the work,” she added.   

Evaluating the success of a mentoring relationship can be challenging. One key indicator of success is that the mentee feels valued and supported. Additionally, both the mentor and mentee should leave the relationship feeling inspired to continue their important work. 

Mentorship is a collaborative conversation. In the first instance, you need to understand where the concerns are and what the mentee wants to focus on. In this instance, Sinead is highly capable and has extensive experience in both the SAR and HR worlds.   

“In my relationship with Sinead, our focus isn't so much on setting specific or measurable goals; instead, we prioritise maintaining open conversations and allowing the dialogue to unfold in a more informal, sounding board manner. Sinead has established specific goals for the women's community. Rather than adding to her burden, I've chosen to check in on her progress and support a solutions-oriented approach. At times, I simply provide a space for her to gauge the direction she’s heading. 

“She is adept at solving problems, so my role in our relationship has been more of a supportive one than it would be with someone who was ‘greener’ or needed a stronger nudge in a particular direction,” Christina added.  

Striking a balance between providing guidance and allowing mentees to discover their own path is a fine art, and Christina’s advice is to listen. A mentor has to understand the mentee’s perspective and then leverage both the mentor’s skills and experiences alongside the mentee’s to help them succeed on their journey.  

"As a mentor, you typically have a broader perspective on the bigger picture and what may lie ahead on that journey. Therefore, I believe it is highly valuable to gently guide the mentee in a direction that allows them to navigate their path more successfully," Christina stated. 

Her advice to anyone considering mentoring is to take the leap, be clear about your goals and needs, and maintain ongoing communication until you find the right balance. 

“Helping others achieve their goals is always rewarding. However, I believe this programme's greatest benefit is that mentors and mentees are actively contributing to the growth of the Women in SAR network. A stronger and more expansive network will ultimately benefit the entire global SAR community,” Christina concluded. 

Join the #WomenInSAR Mentoring Scheme 

Are you ready to make a difference? The IMRF’s #WomenInSAR Mentoring Scheme is always open for applications! Matching takes place in February and August, and if you're not matched right away, don't worry – you’ll automatically be considered for the next round! Seize this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Click here to register! 

Empower the Future of Search and Rescue 

Do you or your organisation want to support an incredible cause? By donating to the #WomenInSAR Mentoring Scheme, you can help fund a mentee or mentor, impacting the future of women in SAR. Do you know a business looking for a meaningful initiative to support? We’d love to hear from you. 

Please contact the IMRF’s CEO, Caroline Jupe, at [email protected] to make a difference. Together, let's champion the next generation of SAR leaders.