Head Up!

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Head Up! is all about making higher education more accessible for disabled school students. In our mentoring programme, we match...

Disabled Student Mentor

05 Jan 2026 - 21 Dec 2026

Closing date for applications is 14 Dec.

Head Up! mentors are students or recent grads with a disability (physical/mental health condition, neurodivergence, SpLD) who are matched by subject or by condition with a 14-18 year-old with a disability. Through mentoring sessions once a month, mentors and mentees chat through areas such as UCAS, exams, studying or the broader issues that come with disability like asking for support or self-advocacy.

Head Up! (head-up.org) is a disability outreach organisation currently looking to recruit disabled student and graduate mentors! 

Are you a student or recent graduate who self IDs as disabled (physical and/or mental health conditions, specific learning difficulties or are neurodivergent) and want to help disabled 14-18yos who are often isolated at school? 

If so, why not consider becoming a mentor with Head Up! We match our mentors with disabled GCSE and A Level students for mentoring covering areas such as UCAS, exams, studying or the broader issues that come with disability like asking for support or self-advocacy. If you can spare just one hour per month, we offer an enhanced DBS check, safeguarding training and support. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at administrator@head-up.org.

Overview of Project

We match disabled students and recent graduates with GCSE and A Level students who are often isolated in school in order to share the support and solidarity from which those of us on team feel we have benefitted from at university. Through virtual mentoring sessions, our incredible mentors support young people navigating disability and education, giving them advice, confidence and solidarity.

This Role Involves

Mentoring a young person virtually for 1 hour/month. Coaching them as they look at managing their condition alongside their studies and consider higher education.

Location

Virtual

Skills/Experience Required

All we ask is that you are an open listener and friendly. You don't need any specialist knowledge - your experience as a student with a disability is what makes you most valuable. At Head Up!, we are committed to safer recruitment processes to prioritise the safety and welfare of all the children, young people, and vulnerable adults we work with. All volunteer roles working with young people will require an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and completion of mandatory safeguarding and child protection training. Head Up! will fund the enhanced DBS check for volunteers who do not already hold a valid certificate. You can find out more by emailing safeguarding@head-up.org.

Benefits to Others

Equipping disabled young people with confidence in navigating a disability at school and beyond. Solidarity for disabled young people often isolated in school. Helping young people feel able and supported as they consider higher education.

Benefits to the Volunteer

Skills gained: - Mentoring and coaching - Confidence and self-awareness - Solidarity and inclusion We will fund an enhanced DBS check for those who do not currently have one, subject to sufficient funding. We provide mentoring and safeguarding training, and the mentoring and safeguarding teams (administrator@head-up.org, safeguarding@head-up.org) are always here to support mentors.

Role Duration

We ask that mentors participate in at least one mentoring cycle. Each cycle runs from January to December.

Time Commitment (hours Per week/month/year, etc)

1 hour/month

Training Information

We provide mentoring and safeguarding training, and the mentoring and safeguarding teams (administrator@head-up.org, safeguarding@head-up.org) are always here to support mentors.

Expenses Information

No expenses expected to be incurred.

DBS required?

Yes (or willingness to do check)
  • Area of InterestChildren, Communities, Disability, Mental health
  • Academic Course RelevanceChildcare, Education, Health and Social Care, Humanities, Medical Care, Psychology, Sciences

Employability skills

  • Communication and Listening 0
  • Initiative 0
  • Innovation and Creativity 0
  • Organisation 0
  • Problem Solving 0
  • Reflection 0
  • Session Planning 0
  • People Skills 0