Research at the CVCL

We undertake many research projects that benefit and link in with our leadership programmes. These cover a range of disciplines including peer leadership, mentoring, volunteering and community action.

Research support

Measuring the impact, outputs or outcomes of community projects and activities can be a challenge. We recognise the importance of monitoring and evaluation and we are here to support organisations to upskill in these areas.

How can we help?

Research skills courses

Student volunteers

Short-term or one-off projects

Recent publications

An Investigation into Mentoring Relationships of Higher Education Students in Community Settings, Journal of Peer Learning (2020)

Abstract

This research explores one-to-one, formal mentoring relationships between students in higher education and their partnered mentees from community and secondary school environments. The purpose is to enhance understanding of mentoring praxis, bringing insight into structures and support of relationships. This paper addresses gaps in the literature by focusing more on the interaction that takes place rather than the benefits of mentoring alone.

The research adopts an interpretive methodological approach, incorporating qualitative methods of semi-structured interviews with mentors and mentees. Reflective portfolios, completed by students as an assessment for the university’s Mentoring in the Community module, are another adopted method.

Findings are presented in a framework model encompassing key components of mentoring interaction (see Figure 1). This model represents a two-way process in which mentors and mentees interact, participate, and build a relationship despite differences in socioeconomic grouping, background, and character.

It is hoped that mentoring projects can engage, refine, and apply the theoretical model devised from this research in programmes to ensure that relationships supporting vulnerable children, young people, and adults are able to stride forward; to help individuals achieve their full potential in all aspects of life; as well as to discover a trusted companion along the way.

Other publications

Ali, Y. (2018) Using a Freirean approach within the Global Youth Solutions programme. In: Paulo Freire and Transformative Education: Changing Lives and Transforming Communities. Palgrave Macmillan UK, London, pp. 203-214. ISBN 9781137542496

Gurjee, R. (2020) An Investigation into Mentoring Relationships of Higher Education Students in Community Settings. Journal of Peer Learning, 13. pp. 48-60. ISSN 2200-2359

Gurjee, R. (2017) An Investigation into the Key Components of Mentoring Interaction. Doctoral thesis, University of Central Lancashire.

Gurjee, R. (2017) UCLan, Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership: Mentoring Practice. In: The Sage Handbook of Mentoring. SAGE Publications, pp. 614-617. ISBN 978-1412962537

Gurjee, R., & Melling, A. (2013) Researching the Impact of Student Mentoring in the Community. International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice, 1. pp. 4-8. ISSN 2332-6832

Melling, A., & Ali, Y. (2015) Travellers in Time: A Critical Dialogue with the Gypsy Travellers of Lancashire. In: Paulo Freire: The Global Legacy. Counterpoints (500). Peter Lang, New York., New York, pp. 1-7. ISBN 9781454196501

Khan, W., & Melling, A. (2015) Pakistan in Praxis: The Development of a Peer Education Programme as a Tool Kit in Developing Young People for Critical Consciousness. In: Paulo Freire: The Global Legacy. Counterpoints. Peter Lang, New York. ISBN 9781454196501

Melling, A., & Khan, W. (2013) ‘Crossing the Road’: The value of inclusive pedagogical practice for South Asian women in Burnley, East Lancashire. Journal of Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 14 (3). pp. 190-201. ISSN 1466 6529

University of Central Lancashire (2016). Football as an International Dialogue - UCLan

University of Central Lancashire (2019). Student ‘buddies’ help Syrian refugees to settle in Lancashire - UCLan

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