The Northwest Mentoring Scheme was created in 2019, with the goal of providing support and helping paediatric residents to develop themselves both professionally and personally as they move through training. Mentoring has been shown to be beneficial for both mentors and mentees as a safe partnership and sounding board - from work/personal issues to career aspirations and research goals.…the list is endless. We also know from experience that paediatric training can be stressful and wanted to create a network for people to be able to reach out to if needed, outside of formal relationships such as clinical or educational supervision. We hope that you will find mentoring a worthwhile and rewarding experience and thank you for becoming a mentoring member!
Feedback from mentors:
“I feel I'm helping a junior colleague with support I didn't have in my SHO years”
“I highly value this scheme and I think it can really have a positive impact on junior trainees and on the mentors”
Feedback from mentees:
“The scheme is useful, the guidance that I have gotten from my mentor has been awesome. That feeling of having someone to discuss with is just incredible.”
“Incredibly useful, she was been wonderful support and a lovely person to get to know. Really pleased to have taken part in the scheme.”
"I've found it very useful, both for advice but also just as part of a support network”
How it Works
1. Apply to become a mentor or mentee 2. If a mentee - select a mentor 3. Once matched - connect with your match 4. Meet, take Journal notes, set Goals & Tasks 5. Read the mentoring resources
Program Journey
Who We Are
Annie Colthorpe
I'm Annie, currently an ST8 in Neonates and about to finally CCT! I am the co-chair of the mentoring committee and helped to develop the programme from the start with Emily and others. We are really passionate about the mentoring scheme to provide support and development for both mentees and mentors and I hope that the programme can continue to grow and help as many people as possible as they navigate the both the triumphs and trials of training.
Emily Hoyle
Hi, I'm Emily, a Consultant Neonatologist and co-chair of the Mentoring programme. Mentorship has played an important role in my own professional journey, and I'm committed to ensuring others have access to the same support. I'm particularly interested in ensuring the scheme remains accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving challenges doctors face. We hope this programme will continue to enable mentors and mentees to build strong, rewarding partnerships that benefit both personal and professional development.
Isha Patel
I'm Isha and am currently taking a year out on OOPE. I joined the scheme several years ago to further support and develop my interest in mentoring. I am also passionate about neonates and from my own experience as an international medical graduate can understand some of the challenges of working in a new system. My roles include organising workshops and training for mentors and mentees as well as promoting the programme.
Jessica Green
Hi I'm Jess, currently an ST5 in Paediatrics and the Social Media Rep for the North West Paediatric Mentoring Committee. I share updates, events and opportunities with trainees across the region. I use our platforms to keep people connected and get more trainees involved. Follow our instagram for wellbeing tips, mentoring info and more...
Ben Fourie
Hi I'm Ben and I am curently an ST3 in Greater Manchester and Lancs. My role in the NW Paediatric Mentoring committee includes managing the email inbox, helping with recruitment and organising mentor training sessions/workshops. Outside of work I enjoy an eclectic mix of music, going to the theatre and playing padel and going for the odd fancy meal. My door (or inbox) is always open if you have any questions, thoughts or suggestions regarding mentoring or anything paediatric :)
Josh Stead
Hi, I am Josh, I am a clinical research fellow at Liverpool Women's Hospital and a member of the North West Paediatric Mentoring Committee. I am an ST4 trainee, but currently out of programme for research, doing a part time MD along with clinical work on the Neonatal Unit. My long-term goals are to apply for Neonatal GRID training in October 2026 and working with the mentoring scheme has been really useful for developing my portfolio for this.
Contact Us
For more information please contact our mentoring leads Annie Colthorpe, Emily Hoyle, Kelly Whitfield, Isha Patel, Jessica Green, Ben Fourie, Josh Stead, Violeta Sanchez Torres.
