Become a mentor

If you have a spinal cord injury, or are a family member of someone with a spinal cord injury, why not volunteer as a Back Up mentor?

What does mentoring with Back Up involve?

• Providing up to ten sessions of telephone support
• Enabling people to work through their challenges using personal experience, problem-solving techniques and goal setting
• Having experience of spinal cord injury, being a good listener, compassionate, and non-judgmental

What support and training does a mentor receive?

• Initial training weekend and annual development day
• Support, guidance and feedback from mentoring staff, clinical psychologists and experienced mentors
• Development of skills and experience through Back Up’s accredited programme
• Agreed expenses covered by Back Up.

For more information please read through our mentor role description, recruitment flowchart and FAQs below.

We need Back Up mentors of all ages, and from all parts of the UK. Please download the appropriate application form below and follow the instructions.

The next training weekend for family mentors, including partners, parents, siblings and children of people with a spinal cord injury will take place Friday 25 – Sunday 27 January 2019.

The next training weekend for people who have a spinal cord injury (including people with complete and incomplete injuries, and people able to walk) will take place Friday 10 – Sunday 27 May 2019.

“Having benefited from Back Up, I wanted to give something back and help people come to terms with their new situation. The mentoring service was an obvious place to start and it is hugely satisfying, helping people when they need it most.”

Dave, 48, mentor with a spinal cord injury, T10 complete

Supported by

The Back Up mentoring service is sponsored by Aspire Law and accredited by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.