Location: United Kingdom

Client: Sickle Cell Society

Client Category / Industry: Non-profit / Health & Wellbeing

Year(s): 2023-2024

Number of Participants: 24 mentors across two cohorts, working with young people living with Sickle Cell disorder

Summary

The Sickle Cell Society’s Children and Young Person’s Peer Mentoring Programme provides one-to-one support for individuals aged 10-24 living with Sickle Cell disorder. The programme focuses on helping young people navigate their health, future plans, and independence—particularly during the critical transition from paediatric to adult healthcare services. Recognising the need to strengthen the programme, the Sickle Cell Society partnered with The Human Edge to train 24 mentors, equipping them with the skills to offer emotional support, build mentees’ confidence, and guide them through managing their condition.

Challenges

• Young people with Sickle Cell disorder often feel disconnected and overwhelmed as they transition to adult healthcare.
• Mentors needed to balance supporting mentees while managing their own experiences with the condition.
• Training delivery had to be flexible to accommodate the health needs of mentors.

Solutions

The Human Edge provided an 8+ week mentor training programme with:

• A six-module on-demand course (1-2 hours per module) to build mentoring skills.
• Training tailored to the unique needs of young people with Sickle Cell disorder.
• A flexible learning approach allowing mentors to train at their own pace or as part of a cohort.
• Practice-based learning, including peer sessions to build confidence and provide feedback.

Impact

• 100% of participants reported increased confidence in their role as mentors.
• 100% of participants felt confident in building rapport and trust with mentees.
• Stronger mentor-mentee relationships, leading to more effective support for young people.
• Improved mentor understanding of how to guide mentees through their healthcare transition.

Approach

• Customised training to meet the specific needs of mentors and mentees.
• Interactive and practical sessions that reinforced key mentoring techniques.
• A focus on self-reflection and active listening, empowering mentors to support young people effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Effective mentoring doesn’t require mentors to have all the answers—active listening and trust-building are key.
• Tailored, flexible training improves mentor confidence and the quality of support provided.
• Expanding the programme will create more opportunities to support young people with Sickle Cell disorder across the UK.