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Digital peer mentoring: expression of interest form

 

As part of our digital capacity building work in the sector, The National Archives runs a peer mentoring programme to facilitate the transfer of digital skills between archives. We are seeking UK archive professionals who would like support to undertake a digital project in 2027.

The peer mentoring programme:

  • builds relationships between confident digital practitioners and professionals who have limited experience of digital work
  • develops the digital skills and confidence of mentees
  • improves the influencing and negotiation skills of mentees
  • enhances the coaching and mentoring skills of mentors
  • supports excellent digital projects.

We are seeking around 12 to 15 mentees who will receive support from their mentors in formulating and delivering their projects between January and July 2027. Mentees must be UK based and work in organisations with archive collections.

Each mentee will be expected to:

  • attend a launch event with the mentors on Wednesday 20 January 2027 via Microsoft Teams to share knowledge of the planned projects and to build networks and relationships
  • have fortnightly or monthly meetings with their mentor between January 2027 and July 2027 (1 to2 hours per month). We expect most meetings to be on Teams (or similar) or by telephone. In-person meetings can also take place if it works for both the mentor and mentee.
  • work with their mentor to formulate and deliver their project
  • attend a mid-programme event on Tuesday 20 April 2027 on Microsoft Teams where mentees and mentors will share their reflections so far
  • attend a concluding event on Wednesday 14 July 2027 on Teams where mentees and mentors will share their experiences and learning

Penny Shapland-Chew will provide the training and support for both mentors and mentees. Penny is a coach, consultant, facilitator and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management with wide-ranging experience of leadership and management over twenty years in public libraries. She has experience of developing mentoring programmes and coaching. Penny will be supported by Kevin Bolton who has extensive archive experience. We will also provide comprehensive guidance documentation for mentors and mentees on how to get the best out of your mentoring relationship.

Please note that matching your project to a mentor is dependent on the availability of a mentor with relevant expertise.

The deadline for responses is 17:00 on Friday 30 October 2026

If you have questions about this programme, please email asl@nationalarchives.gov.uk 
Your information will only be used for this project - please see our privacy policy.

1. Full name *

 

2. Job title: *

 

3. Organisation: *

 

4. Email address: *

 

5. Which are the top three skills you hope to gain through this mentoring programme?

Please select three options only. The answers will help us match you to a mentor. *

 

6. Please briefly describe the project you plan to deliver and why you need the help of a mentor (150 words).

A project might involve implementing a digital preservation workflow, drafting a digital strategy, working on a data analysis project or meet some other digital need in your organisation. *

 

7. Are you able to commit to the time that the programme requires? *

 

8. Are you able to attend the launch event on Wednesday 20 January 2027 (time to be confirmed) on Microsoft Teams? *