President’s bulletin: celebrating National Mentoring Month

Welcome to 2025. As environmental health professionals, our dedication to safeguarding environmental and public health remains as vital as ever. Here's to making a difference together.

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to recognise and celebrate the power of mentoring. Since the CIEH mentoring scheme was implemented in 2022, over 200 members have connected with a mentor to help them reach their goals. The scheme has been very popular with members on the EHP Pathway. Building on this, CIEH recently launched the Career Confidence mentoring program designed for members who have been registered for just a few years.

Appreciation of and providing assistance to peers is a key role for all of us. If you’ve been thinking about growing your professional community and giving back to the profession this year, then read on. We may have just the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

EHP Pathway mentoring scheme

This program supports EHP students through their portfolio development, providing career advice and helping them navigate their first environmental health job. Mentors in this scheme are often recently qualified EHPs, student training officers, or professionals with experience in training student EHPs. There is continuous high demand for mentoring in this area and with a shortage of available mentors, a waiting list is currently in operation for members on the EHP Pathway waiting to receive mentoring.

The mentorship typically lasts up to 12 months, guiding mentees from the start of their EHP Portfolio to its completion and preparation for the CIEH Professional Discussion.

Career Confidence mentoring program

The Career Confidence mentoring program offers more informal support to members within five years of EHP registration. This program aims to build professional relationships between mentees and more experienced CIEH members. Career Confidence mentors act as sounding boards, providing advice, sharing experiences, and boosting the confidence of their mentees.

Ideal mentors in this program are approachable, supportive, and proactive about their development. They are senior or experienced CIEH members willing to share their knowledge and dedicate time to nurturing a 'friendship-style' mentoring relationship.

Benefits for mentors and mentees

Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship. For mentors, it offers the opportunity to shape the careers of others, give back to the profession, and be recognized as experts in their field. Mentoring also enhances leadership and coaching skills while providing fresh perspectives and ideas.

For mentees, mentorship provides valuable insights and guidance from professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges they may face. Whether just starting or looking to advance their careers, mentees can achieve success with the help of a mentor.

Celebrating National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month is the perfect time to highlight the importance of mentoring in the environmental health profession. The CIEH mentoring scheme exemplifies the power of mentorship in fostering growth, building confidence, and creating lasting professional relationships. By participating in this scheme, both mentors and mentees contribute to the development of a strong, supportive community within the environmental health field.

I’d also like to take an opportunity to recognise the members who generously share their knowledge and time by volunteering as a mentor and the mentees who actively seek guidance to advance their careers. Together, they embody the spirit of mentorship, driving the profession forward and ensuring a brighter future for all.

If you're passionate about helping others grow and want to volunteer as a mentor, or if you're seeking guidance to navigate your career, consider joining the CIEH mentoring scheme. It's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact and be part of a supportive professional community.

How to get involved

CIEH members interested in becoming mentors or mentees can easily get involved. To request a mentor, you can complete our online form, providing details about your career stage and areas of interest. This information helps match you with the most suitable mentor.

If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, you can sign up to share your expertise and grow your leadership skills. By volunteering as a mentor, you can make a significant difference in someone’s career while enriching your own.

Thank you to those that take part. Let this year be one of innovation, co-production, and impactful solutions for safer, cleaner and healthier environments for the benefit of all. 

I will leave you with a quote from Marie Curie:

“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his or her own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.”