Whether your programme has come to an end, your relationship has run its course, or something just isn't working, closing a loop is a normal and healthy part of mentoring. This article covers how to recognise when it's time, how to end things well, and what happens next.

How do I know when it's time to close the loop?

The most common signals are regular unproductive meetings, frequent cancellations or rescheduling, or a general sense that the relationship has stopped moving forward. These things happen and don't reflect poorly on either person, sometimes a pairing simply runs its natural course, or a mismatch in personalities or timing means it's not working as well as it could.

The signs differ slightly depending on whether you're a mentor or a mentee.

Signs it may be time to move on from your mentor

• You've stopped learning — you feel like you've reached the ceiling of what this particular mentor can offer, and your development would benefit from a different perspective or skillset.
• You don't feel safe to fail — mentoring should be a space where setbacks are part of the process. If you sense your mentor is regularly disappointed when you fall short of their expectations, that dynamic isn't serving your growth.
• You feel rushed — good mentoring respects your pace. If you're feeling pressured by strict timelines or expectations that don't fit where you are, the relationship may not be the right fit.

Recognising this doesn't mean the relationship has to end entirely. Many mentoring partnerships continue in a looser, informal way after the programme closes, on your own terms.

Signs it may be time to move on from your mentee

• Your mentee has become dependent — if they can't seem to make a move without your approval, it's a sign the relationship may be holding them back rather than building their independence.
• There's no follow-through — if your mentee consistently doesn't act on agreed actions, your time and experience may be better invested elsewhere.
• You've taken them as far as you can — this is a positive outcome, not a failure. If you've genuinely reached the limit of what your experience can offer them, passing them on to someone better placed for the next stage is the right thing to do.

What if my programme is just coming to an end?

If your programme is closing or relaunching, your Program Coordinator will let you know and ask you to close your loop. This doesn't mean the relationship has to end, you can continue outside of Mentorloop informally, or speak to your Coordinator if you'd like your loop to remain active a little longer.

How do I close the loop well?

However the relationship is ending, closing it with care matters, both for the other person and for your own sense of completion.

• Say thank you — always. Acknowledge the time and effort your mentoring partner has dedicated, and be specific about what you valued. A genuine expression of gratitude goes a long way.
• Be honest about your reasons — if the relationship hasn't been working, say so with kindness. Both people benefit from knowing what happened, and it helps your Program Coordinator make better matches in the future.
• Agree on what comes next — if you want to stay in touch outside of Mentorloop, revisit your Mentoring Agreement to get clear on how you'll continue working together informally.

Once you've had the conversation, close the loop in Mentorloop and complete the close loop survey. Your feedback is private and helps your Program Coordinator support you, and improve future matching rounds.

How can my Program Coordinator help?

Your Program Coordinator is there to support you through this process. If you're unsure how to handle the situation, whether that's a difficult conversation, a request to rematch, or understanding what closing the loop means for your programme participation, reach out via your 1:1 loop with them, which you'll find on your dashboard.

Completing the close loop survey is the most useful thing you can do to help them help you, not just now, but in future matching rounds too.