Head Up! Mentoring Scheme
Registration for our 2026 Mentoring Cycle is now open!
Sign up now for our next mentoring cycle, which begins in January 2026.
What is Head Up! mentoring?
Our mentoring programme is intended to help guide, encourage and inspire young people navigating disability. Mentees are paired with a mentor who is a university student or recent graduate, and mentoring can cover topics such as university applications, navigating school and exams, or the social side of disability.
Who can take part?
Anyone who self-identifies as disabled and who is aged 14-18 (or is still in school, e.g. if you’ve had to take time out). If you live outside the UK, please contact administrator@head-up.org to discuss your situation.
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can also sign up to attend just events (not mentoring + events). If you would prefer this, please use this form instead: https://forms.gle/tDrvEPBExYLTp2DZ9 [forms.gle]
We use disability as an umbrella term to cover a range of conditions. Even if you don’t identify as disabled, you may still be eligible. Some examples: SpLDs like dyslexia, neurodiversity: autism, ADHD, mental health conditions e.g. anxiety, Sensory conditions, Long-term illnesses: arthritis, crohns, CFS, Mobility impairments… and more!
You will meet for 1 hour per month, online, with one of our mentors (a uni student or recent graduate, who identifies as disabled).
It’s led by YOU and can cover: university applications, awareness of support you can get, confidence in asking for support, revision tips, setting goals and planning for success; making important decisions, navigating social situations and confidence disclosing disability.
You’ll be matched with one of our mentors, who will be a current university student or recent graduate. When you sign up, we ask if you’d like to be paired with a mentor based on a similar subject or condition. We will do our best to match you, although this depends on the availability of mentors.
Even if you have been matched with a mentor based on condition or disability, it’s important to remember boundaries. There may be things they or you don’t wish to share – that’s okay.
Communication is via email and you will meet online via Google Meets or Zoom. Safety is incredibly important to us. All our mentors have enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding training. We record all contact between you, and ask you and your mentor to sign our code of conduct. You can find out about our safeguarding policies here: Safeguarding and Legal Policies
Mentee Sign-up Form:
About Us
The general aim and objective of Head Up! is to promote the interests of young people with disabilities, physical and/or mental health conditions, specific learning difficulties and neurodivergence; offering them practical advice and support concerning their education and welfare.