The Power of Mentorship: Why Women Supporting Women Changes Everything

While this blog is part of our GrandWomen series and centres on this specific theme, we want to make it clear that we celebrate, uplift and support individuals of all identities and backgrounds. That being said, this particular GrandWomen piece is a tribute to the strength found in women supporting women — a powerful force that continues to inspire progress across every aspect of life.

Across an array of industries, women continue to break barriers and exceed expectations every day with the help of people around them. This might be colleagues, friends or family, who champion, mentor and support their journey both professionally and personally.

At the same time, we also recognise that not every woman has a support network behind her. That’s why at Grandir UK, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for women to build close-knit connections with people they can feel seen, heard, supported and understood by.

Mentorship has been a long-standing force in shaping and transforming lives, offering encouragement, guidance and a shoulder to lean on during times of uncertainty. We believe that good mentorship isn’t just about climbing the career ladder, it’s about building confidence, fostering belonging, and helping each other thrive at every stage of life.

This blog explores why inclusive mentorship matters and the positive impact it can have on gender equality and overall well-being.

Why inclusive mentorship matters

Finding a strong support system to lean on can be a challenging process. We recognise that many women, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds may feel isolated. We want them to know that they’re not alone, and seeking mentorship can be a crucial step towards building confidence and finding community.

A good mentor can:

• Share their honest life experiences and lessons they’ve learned along the way.
• Offer a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear through life’s personal and professional challenges.
• Empower women by reminding them of their strengths and successes.
• Create new and exciting opportunities through encouragement and connection.
• True and effective mentorship is inclusive – it should welcome everyone regardless of their background, age, ethnicity, ability and experiences.

Inclusive mentorship also plays a significant role in economic growth and social progress, helping people achieve financial security, leadership roles, and independence.

Empowering women across every workplace

Women deserve to feel empowered, understood and supported no matter what industry they are in without systemic barriers holding them back. This not only supports women’s overall well-being, but fuels economic development and increases organisational success – when people feel better about themselves, they perform better.

Supporting women in the workplace means:

• Providing work flexibility without judgement or stigma: Workplace flexibility benefits all employees but it’s especially critical in supporting women empowerment. Understanding and recognising that balancing a career with personal situations like education pursuits, caregiving or health needs is not a barrier to success but part of real life.
• Creating a safe space where all voices can be heard freely: Whether it’s sharing ideas or expressing concerns, women should be able to express themselves in the workplace without fear of judgement. This is crucial to fostering a trustworthy female empowerment culture.
• Mentoring, guiding and uplifting team members regardless of where they are in their journey or who they are: There might be moments where a team member might feel a bit lost – it’s completely natural. It’s important that during these moments they are uplifted, encouraged and guided, whether they’re just starting out or further into their careers.
• Celebrating diversity of experience: Women from different walks of life bring a plethora of unique experiences. It’s crucial that this is valued, celebrated and leveraged within the workplace.

In spaces like Early Years education in particular, where nurturing is a key part of daily life, these women empowerment examples and practices are especially powerful. That being said, they’re vital and make a difference in every field, from healthcare to sales, arts to engineering.

Providing more inclusive mentorship opportunities also supports women’s economic empowerment by encouraging leadership growth, economic independence, and helping to achieve gender equality across industries.

How we can continue to uplift and empower women

Building a culture of female empowerment doesn’t just fall on the shoulders of the workplace or the Government, it’s a shared responsibility. Everyone should be open to learning about women’s experiences and finding ways to empower and mentor women. Every one of us can help create a more supportive world by:

• Becoming allies and mentors, offering our undivided attention, advice and encouragement whenever we can (especially in times of need).
• Amplifying women’s voices and stories, making space for varied perspectives, new ideas and different leadership styles, combats gender inequality and drives innovation.
• Celebrating the successes of women, big or small, every achievement matters and deserves to be recognised.
• Challenging bias and gender inequality, even when it’s uncomfortable, it’s important to stand up and advocate for equal representation and opportunities for all. This is key to building social progress and fairer spaces for everyone.
• Continue to create networks of support, these can be formal or informal, where women can thrive together rather than compete.

Takeaway: Start small, reach out to a colleague for coffee, share a story, or offer support to someone who might need it.

At Grandir UK we’re tremendously proud to be part of the movement championing, supporting and mentoring women – not just today but every day. Because when women support women the possibilities of what could be achieved are endless.