Join the team
What is Debate Mate?
Debate Mate aims to tackle educational disadvantage in some of Britainβs most deprived communities.
π It does this by recruiting and training university students to run extra-curricular debate workshops in schools with an above-average percentage of children eligible for Free School Meals.
π£ Our programmes increase speaking and listening attainment and improve a range of higher-order thinking skills and non-cognitive abilities such as confidence, teamwork, and leadership.
π In doing so, our programmes address the widening skills gap between education and employment, raising aspirations and helping students make informed post-18 choices.
We're a growing charity!
Young People Helped π
Mentors π©βπ
Schools π«
Corporate Partnerships π€
Regions π
Programmes π¨βπ«
Why Mentor for Debate Mate?
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πͺ Make a real difference
Our programmes are proven to help change the lives of young people around the world. Join us and make a real difference to the next generation!
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π Enhance your CV
You donβt need any previous tutoring, teaching or debating experience to join! Become a mentor and youβll develop key employability skills such as communication, leadership, and organisation β all things your future employer will love.
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π Flexibility around your schedule
Juggling university, part-time work, hobbies, and a social life can be tricky. Luckily, at Debate Mate, we make it easy to fit around your schedule, so you can work as much or as little as you like.
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π Regular socials & mentor events
Meet like-minded people at our social events and build your professional network at exclusive events such as our careers fair and corporate partner events.
Learn more about us!
About Debate Mate
School Case Study
London Launch 2019
How the application process works
Step 1

Sign Up Below
Once you have pre-registered using the link below, our team will be in touch to invite you to one of our 90-minute taster sessions.
Step 2

Attend a Taster Session
The session includes a presentation about what we do, the delivery of one of our activities to assess your skills, and an informal interview.
Step 3

Attend Training
The training includes safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, behaviour management, and an in-depth look at our curriculum.
Step 4

School Allocation
Once you have completed our onboarding process, you will be allocated a school no further than 75 minutes via public transport on a day and time that suits you.
Step 5

Start Mentoring
You will mentor there once a week (for 17 weeks) for an hour, starting in November and ending in April - delivering our curriculum to students aged 10-16.
FAQ's
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In order to mentor for Debate Mate you need to be either a University student or a sixth-form student who has taken part in the Debate Mate programme for 2+ Years.
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You need to attend a Taster Session. Scroll down to sign up to mentor in the correct region, and then you will be sent an invite to a session.
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You can only mentor virtually if you are not based in one of our core regions of London, Manchester, West Midlands, Liverpool or Cardiff. We have 250+ in-person opportunities and around 15 virtual ones.
So you are more likely to mentor with Debate Mate if you can volunteer in person.
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While mentoring for Debate Mate is a volunteering role, we do pay our mentors a Β£20 stipend for each session they deliver, along with reimbursing travel and snacks that you will buy the students.
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No. You do need any previous experience. Just a passion for working with young people and making a difference in your local community.
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Once you have completed all of our onboarding and training, you will be allocated a school no further than 75 minutes away. You will then use our curriculum to deliver one-hour after-school sessions at the same time each week for 17 weeks from November to April.
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We work with students between the ages of 10-16. You can tell us if you have a preference, but we will also assign you to anage group we think suits you best.
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No, we only accept mentors who can commit to the entire programme from November through to April.
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Sessions usually take place after school, somewhere between the hours of 14:30 and 17:30.
The sessions will only be an hour, so if you are free on an afternoon between those times, you are more likely to be allocated a school.
Sessions DO NOT run on weekends or during the UK school holidays.
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No, because we deliver sessions in schools, the Debate Mate programme does not run on weekends or during the school/university holidays.
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No, the mentoring position is a volunteer role, so you do not need a work visa.
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No, you must have a Debate Mate specific DBS - don't worry we will process and pay for this for you.
Mentoring Opportunities
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Debate Mate Mentor - Wales
In Person Mentor - Wales
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Debate Mate Mentor - West Midlands
In Person Mentor - West Midlands
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Debate Mate Mentor - Liverpool
In Person Mentor - Liverpool
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Debate Mate Mentor - Manchester
In Person Mentor - Manchester
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Debate Mate Mentor - London
In Person Mentor - London
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Returning Mentor
Returning Mentors
Already working at Debate Mate Schools?
Letβs recruit together and find your next colleague.