She Leads Cumbria Mentorship Programme Unveils New Female Business Mentors.
A mentorship programme designed to support women across Cumbria has unveiled a new group of female mentors as the initiative continues to help participants develop their careers and build confidence.
The She Leads programme was created to connect women from across the county with experienced female leaders who can offer practical advice, encouragement and one to one guidance. The initiative is open to women aged 18 and over who live in Cumbria, regardless of their current career stage. It is intended to support women who are starting their careers, looking to progress into leadership, returning to work after a career break or developing their own businesses.
The newly announced mentors bring experience from a range of professional backgrounds, giving participants the opportunity to learn from women who have already established themselves in their respective fields. The programme places particular emphasis on personal development, career progression and confidence building. Rather than following a fixed structure, mentors and mentees work together to identify individual goals and decide how their sessions can provide the greatest benefit.
She Leads was launched through a collaboration involving NRL and in-Cumbria, with the aim of creating meaningful connections between ambitious women and established female business leaders across the region. The programme was originally introduced as a 12 month mentoring initiative offering personalised one to one support.
For many participants, having access to an experienced mentor can provide an opportunity to discuss professional challenges that may be difficult to address elsewhere. Mentors can offer advice on areas such as leadership, decision making, career planning and running a business, while also helping mentees identify their strengths and consider new opportunities.
The programme is also intended to encourage greater connections between women working in different sectors across Cumbria. By bringing together people with different experiences and professional backgrounds, organisers hope to create a supportive network that can continue beyond individual mentoring sessions.
Rebecca Graves, NRL's Egremont Branch Director, previously described the initiative as an opportunity for women to learn from one another and develop meaningful professional relationships. She said the programme was intended to reach women from different backgrounds and at different points in their careers.
The scheme also recognises that career development does not always follow a straightforward path. Some participants may be considering a career change, while others may be returning to employment after time away or trying to grow a small business.
The flexibility of the mentoring relationship allows participants to focus on the areas most relevant to their circumstances and ambitions. Mentors are expected to commit regular time to their mentees, with the current programme guidance stating that mentors typically spend at least two hours each month providing support.
The programme's organisers believe the availability of experienced female role models can play an important part in encouraging more women to pursue leadership and business opportunities. For Cumbria, the initiative also provides a way of recognising the contribution already being made by women across the county's business community.
The newly unveiled mentors will now begin working with participants, sharing their professional experience and helping them work towards their individual goals. With women taking part at different stages of their professional journeys, the programme aims to create a supportive network where experience can be shared and future female leaders can develop.
The organisers hope the latest cohort will build on the progress of previous participants and demonstrate the value of long term mentoring for women across Cumbria. Applications for the 2026 cohort are now closed, with further opportunities expected when the programme reopens for future cohorts.
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