What is a Peer Mentor?

A Been There Peer Mentor understands body image struggles or eating disorder related struggles first-hand, either from their own lived experience, or supporting someone close to them, and they want to use that understanding to help someone else.

As a Peer Mentor, you'll connect with a Mentee weekly through our text based chat, listening and supporting in a way that only someone who's truly been there can.

Every Peer Mentor is vetted, trained by experts, and supported by the charity throughout.

Why become a Peer Mentor?

Because you know what it’s feels like when no-one understands.

As a Been There Mentor, you will:

  • Make a real, meaningful difference to someone who needs it

  • Use your lived experience to support others

  • Build confidence, communication, and interpersonal skills

  • Receive in-house training designed with The Body Image Clinic

  • Be part of a warm, supportive community

  • Be the person you once needed for someone else

What's Involved As A Peer Mentor

We've made the process as straightforward as possible:

  • Application process - around 20 minutes to complete

  • Checks - a DBS check and two references

  • Training - 6–8 hours of initially, fully provided at no cost

  • Weekly commitment - 1 to 3 hours per week, over 12 weeks

  • Minimum commitment - 6 months

  • Ongoing support - safeguarding guidance and clinical supervision throughout

What Our Mentors Have Said

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mentoring with Been There has been life-changing - creating a safe, judgment-free space for men to open up about body image and mental health empowers them to overcome isolation and challenges harmful stereotypes. As someone who once struggled in silence, I know first-hand the impact of having a trusted confidant.

Been There - Mentor
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I've seen first-hand the benefits Been There has given to clients in therapy, but I also imagine it can play a significant role for those waiting for treatment. To experience compassion and support from someone who truly understands could be the spark someone needs.

Thomas Midgley BSc RD PGDip
CBT Founding Director, The Body Image Treatment Clinic
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Being a volunteer mentor with Been There has been extremely rewarding. It means a lot to be able to share what helped me on my own journey, and use that to support others through theirs. I feel a sense of purpose, and it's amazing to hear when our conversations have made a difference.

Tasha
Been There - Mentor
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Volunteering with Been There has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. I feel really privileged to be able to support many different people along their journey and it's something I wish I had access to when I was struggling myself...

Helen Eadie
Been There - Mentor
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Two years ago, every day was a battle with my body. Being there connected me with someone who really understood, and now I am a trained mentor. I want to be there as a source of hope for others.

Been There - Mentor