The Mentor Academy, Reading Business Club’s initiative to give business owners the benefit of its members’ expertise for six months, is open to applicants.

If you have a start-up business idea but are unclear about how to progress it, or have already set up a business but need expert advice on how to move forward, then you could benefit from the Mentor Academy’s programme.

Each mentoring placement lasts six months during which the successful applicant enjoys advice and support across a range of business disciplines from members of the Reading Business Club, each of them with many years’ experience of managing their own small business.

The Mentor Academy opened its doors in January 2007 since when four local businesses – L P Bennett Building and Brickwork, Petrophase, Love2Read and Compass Cuisine – have completed the programme.

Applications are invited for the next mentoring programme, which will start in the autumn of 2009. Details may be downloaded here.

Here's what recent mentees have said about their experience of the Mentor Academy:

'As a start up company and someone with very little business experience, there is a wealth of knowledge in the Club and everyone is not only encouraging and supportive, they are also a fantastic source of information.' Caroline Edwards, Love2Read

'Thanks to the Mentor Academy we've been put in touch with professionals who can shine a light where it's needed.' Les Bennett, LP Bennett Building and Brickwork

'The techniques and the useful contacts I made help in the running of the business. I now have a business plan! But also I find I have much greater confidence in running the business and am less worried about the future; whatever happens I feel I can deal with it.' Brian Moffatt, Petrophase