Mentoring scheme Music, motivation and moving targets Louise Parfitt speaks to mentor Darren Bell, from Bristow & Sutor, and mentee Gemma Lang, from Parkingeye, on their experience of the BPAs mentoring scheme so far Why did you become involved with the scheme? Darren Bell (DB): I had an unofficial mentor when I started work, who showed me there was so much more to parking than sticking a ticket on a windscreen. I want to give that back to others and help broaden their horizons. When the BPA said it was bringing in the scheme, it was music to my ears. I was involved with the pilot scheme last year, which was a phenomenal experience. Gemma Lang (GL): I saw the advert in BPA newsletters and I thought about it for ages. Eventually, I decided it would be a good chance to get an insight into how others in the sector work and learn skills to progress my career. What do you hope to gain from it? DB: I see it as my learning as well its very much a two-way street. I got just as much out of the scheme as my mentee last year. It makes me reflect on a lot on my own actions and mindset because, if I am offering advice to someone, I should be practising what I am preaching. GL: I didnt really have any expectations. I went into it quite open-minded to see what I could learn. Darren has been brilliant and got me to set five objectives but its all done in an informal way, which has been really nice. What have you learned so far? a manager. It happened really quickly because the person I was taking over from went on maternity leave sooner than expected. I was thrown in at the deep end, and it has been great knowing I have got Darren to go to for an outside perspective and advice. Its really given me confidence to try new things and approach situations in a different way and I have had some great results. DB: I asked Gemma to set five objectives and she has already smashed one of them, so we have set another to keep up the motivation. I have added goals for me, so we are constantly encouraging each other to evolve and achieve. GL: Since I joined the scheme, I have become What are you looking forward to? GL: I am excited about learning how Darrens organisation is dealing with the Code of Practice changes, because we are both affected by it in different ways. Its also giving me the space to think about what I want to learn and where I want my career to go, which is really refreshing. DB: Theres nothing greater than when your mentee applies something you have advised them on and makes it their own you feel a great sense of achievement. Its also nice to meet someone you may not otherwise have met; they are, after all, the new faces of our industry and its future flagbearers. If youd like to know more, or take part in next years scheme, please contact membership@britishparking.co.uk If you are interested in sponsoring the mentoring scheme, contact john.wheaton@cpl.co.uk 48 PN June 2022 pp48 Mentoring.indd 48 24/05/2022 16:25