Mentoring

Brightside

Brightside is the website we use for mentoring and it works by mentors and mentees sending typed messages to each other. These are fully moderated before being sent, to make sure this is a safe space for you. When you send a message, it may say that it is pending moderation - please be reassured that this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve said anything wrong! It just means that the message needs to be checked before being sent, which will take a maximum of 24 hours (or just one minute during live sessions). If it isn’t allowed, you will receive a message explaining why.

Every few weeks your mentor will send you messages and will lead topical discussions. What you talk about will support you with key activities related to the programme, school or college life, and applying to university.

Mentoring will be divided into blocks, so you can get tailored support based around these topics areas around these months.

Tuesday 21st January 2025 - Friday 14th March 2025: Welcome, General questions on BE & University

Monday 2nd June - Friday 27th June 2025: Project support

22nd September- 10th December 2025: Choosing a University/Open Days/Personal statements/UCAS

2nd - 27th March 2026: Budgeting and Clearing

Example discussion topics: Choosing a university and course, independent project discussion time, subject session recap, managing stress and revision help.

Go to Brightside

To access the homepage, type brightsidementoring.org into your web browser, or alternatively download the Brightside app onto your smartphone or tablet. The app can be found by searching for ‘Brightside Mentoring’ in the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. The logo is a ‘B’ in an orange circle.

Click on ‘My Account’ in the left-hand menu panel, or get to it by clicking the icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Here, you can edit your details and add a profile picture.

Under ‘Channels’ in the left-hand menu panel, you’ll be able to access your your 1:1 chat. You can send messages using the box at the bottom of the screen. You can also attach documents and images using the paperclip. These will take a little bit longer to get through moderation.

You can use ‘Project Support’ to get in touch with the Brookes Engage team about any technical issues you’re having. Alternatively, you can email us at brookesengage@brookes.ac.uk

If you send your mentor a message on Brightside, we will do our best to reply within 5 working days (not including Bank Holidays).

How to use Brightside

Mentee Handbook

Mentee Handbook.pdf

You can make the handbook full screen by clicking the 'Pop out' icon in the top-right corner.

Mentors

Mentors are current Brookes students and you will be paired with a mentor through a matching quiz..

Your mentor is available to talk to on Brightside and is there to help you navigate topics like UCAS, student finance and careers. You can also ask them questions about being a student at Brookes or what it's like to study their course. Mentors will help to run the subject workshops alongside academics and will lead fun social activities too!

Haniyah (HLS)

🏡 Oxford

🎓 BSc Biomedical Science

💬 I love travelling and have visited over 15 countries

💬 In my free time i enjoy baking and easting anything sweet

💬 Grey's Anatomy is my favourite TV show of all time

🎧 With you - AP Dhillon

Hisham (TDE)

🏡 Lahore, Pakistan

🎓 BSc Artificial Intelligence

💬 I can speak 5 languages

💬 I started university when I was 17

💬 I have travelled to 11 countries

🎧 Aitebar - Vital Signs

Scarlett (HSS)

🏡 Buckinghamshire

🎓BA Educational Studies (SEDNI)

💬 I can write with both my left and right hand

💬 I make my own clothes

💬 I've read every book written by Jane Austen

🎧 Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac

Dan (HLS)

🏡 Wallingford

🎓 BSc Biological Sciences

💬I have a dog named Bertie

💬I like football

💬My favorite food is pesto

🎧NF - Returns

Kenzie (HSS)

🏡 Kingston Upon Thames

🎓BA Primary Education

💬I am teaching myself Japanese

💬 I read 73 books in 2024

💬 I'm teaching international students English during the summer

🎧 Sk8ter Boi - Avril Lavine

Helena(HSS)

🏡 Karlsruhe, Germany

🎓BSc Criminology

💬 I used to be a hardcore One Direction Fan

💬I was in competitive rowing for almost half of my life

💬I’m half German and half English

🎧 Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys

Megan(OBBS)

🏡 Watford

🎓BSc International Hospitality and Tourism Management

💬 I’ve danced since the age of 3

💬 I’ve visited 9 countries

💬 I’m the president of the Disney society

🎧 Everywhere, Everything - Noah Kahan

Kalelah(HSS)

🏡 London

🎓BA Japanese Studies

💬 I am passionate about music and enjoy listening to many different genres, especially those from previous decades.

💬 I’m currently learning Japanese, but languages are of great interest to me and I hope I can learn more one day!

💬I enjoy tracking every movie I watch online and writing short reviews. My watchlist is incredibly long!

🎧 The Less I Know The Better - Tame Impala

Matthew(TDE)

🏡Aylesbury

🎓BA Urban Design, Planning and Development

💬I throw overarm with my left hand and underarm with my right

💬 I can name every country in the world

💬I was on a children's TV show when I was just three years old!

🎧 Virtual Insanity - Jamiroqua

Swan(HLS)

🏡 Hong Kong

🎓BSc Occupational Therapy

💬 I have a younger sister

💬 I love to eat pistachio, curry and sushi

💬 My favourite colour is blue

🎧 Fight Song - Rachel Platten

Affinity Groups

We would like to invite you to join Affinity Groups on Brightside.

These groups are tailored for you to connect with peers who share similar backgrounds or needs. Each group is led by a mentor who understands your journey.

Joining an Affinity Group means you'll be part of a student-led space, offering additional mentoring support. It's a fantastic way to build connections with both your mentor and other Engage program students.

If you would like to join a group, please scan the QR code below:

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