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A Practical Guide to Mentoring
By David Kay and Roger Hinds

As David Kay and Roger Hinds explain in their guide, “coaching and mentoring are invaluable tools in staff development”. Mentoring is increasingly used in a wide variety of organisations, and the benefits are clear. Staff who feel they are reaching their full potential will be more fulfilled and, therefore, more motivated.

Mentoring can assist staff
at all levels, such as new members of the team, those undergoing training and even senior members of staff. As Kay and Hinds assert, joining a new organisation or beginning a new role can be challenging, and mentoring “can be of invaluable help” in supporting staff during these times. New members of staff find their feet more quickly, trainees are supported, and senior members of staff can also benefit from mentoring during periods of change or development within the organisation. Kay and Hinds give a firm insight into how and why mentoring is being so widely used within businesses.

This guide is a must-have for anyone considering becoming a mentor, or even those contemplating using mentoring within their business. The book is full of practical, useful information on the realities, the benefits, the pitfalls and the requirements of mentoring. It provides a complete guide to each step of the process, from the qualities needed to be a good mentor, to preparing yourself for the role, planning the first meeting and establishing a relationship with the mentee. The book even covers the best way to end the mentoring relationship.

The information, acquired
through the authors’ vast practical experience and knowledge of mentoring, is usefully laid out in bite-sized sections, including helpful bulleted summaries at the end of each chapter. The simple and accessible layout makes this book an ideal reference guide that can be used during the entire mentoring process. The authors provide a taste of real-life mentoring with useful scenarios and possible ways to approach them. These cover a broad spectrum, including mentoring members of senior management, members of staff with little ambition, and newly-joined members of the team.

The book provides a flavour of each aspect of mentoring, teaching you how to understand people and the external factors that may affect them, and how to make them feel at ease. The authors discuss the responsibilities that come with the role, and the importance of offering support without simply imposing your own views. In this incredibly detailed book, a plethora of additional information is provided, such as the formal qualifications that can be achieved in mentoring, and an additional section on coaching and its distinctions.

As the authors say, mentoring is
suitable for all organisations. A variety of scenarios and types of mentees are covered within the book, from qualified to unqualified, low level to management level. The book explains that the benefits of mentoring are boundless. A team that feels fulfilled and supported will be happier and more committed to your business, improving staff retention and motivation. New members of staff will slot more easily into their roles, and staff potential can be unlocked, helping them to become vital members of the team.

While not aimed specifically at the
veterinary industry, the tips and advice within this book can be applied to all industries, making this an invaluable guide for anyone interested in mentoring.

Author: David Kay & Roger Hinds
Publisher: How To Books
Price: £8.99

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RCVS announces 1CPD app update

News Story 1
 The RCVS has announced a new version of its 1CPD mobile app, with enhanced features for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to record their continuing professional development.

The mobile app includes a new 'what would you like to do?' shortcut for frequent tasks, a notification badge, and the ability to scan a QR code from the home screen to easily record an activity.

Users will be prompted to update the app from the App Store or Google Play the next time they log in. For more information, visit RCVS.org.uk 

Click here for more...
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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.