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A new website aims to put the social conscience into social networking by enabling users to share experiences and mentor each other anonymously in a safe, hosted environment.

horsesmouth.co.uk is purpose-built for online mentoring on a wide range of topics including education, careers, health, families and relationships and will be free and available to anyone over the age of 16. 

With millions of people already using online forums such as Facebook and MySpace to exchange music, pictures and gossip, horsesmouth encourages users to share more meaningful knowledge in a more purposeful way.

An online survey conducted by horsesmouth in February 2007 revealed that while most people would like to give up some of their time each week to help others, many do not know how to or are too busy to commit to formal volunteering charities. horsesmouth allows users to volunteer by sharing their life experiences with others from the comfort of their own homes.

Users can mentor each other on virtually any topic. Anybody seeking advice on how to land their dream job, deal with a health issue or start a business need only type in a few words into the site’s search engine to be presented with a list of other users who have been through the same experience and are willing to share it.

A key principle of the site is that anyone who has lived and learned and wants to give something back can become a mentor on the site.

The site has strict security procedures including a unique code texted to your mobile phone on registration which significantly deters people from using multiple profiles and identities. All profiles and postings on the site are professionally moderated, as is conversational content in certain areas of the site.

Horsesmouth is the brainchild of advertising entrepreneur and media industry figure M T (Mary Theresa) Rainey:

“I really believe that the knowledge and experience people carry around with them is a huge untapped resource,” says Rainey. “If eBay is about the stuff you’ve got locked up in the attic, then horsesmouth is about the stuff you’ve got locked up in your head and heart,” she says reflecting the site's mantra: 'no wisdom wasted'.