Dear Mentee,

It is difficult to think of a situation as challenging for so many people throughout the world as the current Covid 19 pandemic crisis.

At the WBS Mentoring Steering Committee meeting last Friday 20th March, we were hearing of the extraordinary preparations the University was making to protect the health of staff and students, whilst striving to deliver a world-class education programme.

We reflected on what it meant for the people involved in the WBS Global Mentoring Programme; in addition to the obvious risks we all faced, we were struck by the thought that we were in a privileged position to help others through these uncertain times. Our whole programme, and its ethos, centres around the joy in helping others. Together as a connected supportive community we can rise to this unprecedented challenge and help one another.

WBS Mentors are some of the most experienced and dedicated professionals in the world and despite their own personal challenges, they are still there to support you, our Mentees.

Some of you will be reassured by the moral support they can offer, even if it's just a short phone call to keep in touch; of course, others may want to change their priorities and temporarily reduce contact. But whatever the situation, they are your friendly ear should they need it.

With the current restrictions including the need for “social distancing”, we have taken the difficult decision of moving the June 2020 Induction, to fully remote, online (a first for us) over a number of sessions. Many of you will already be using predominantly remote interactions in your day to day work, but for some, it will be more challenging for various reasons, however we are confident that between us, we can make this work.

We send our sincere best wishes to you, your family and those within your community. Stay healthy, wash your hands and stay connected.

Best Wishes
Sanjiv Patel & Andrew Leach
Joint Chairs, WBS Global Mentoring Steering Committee