Paper 1213/CUGSC/15
Enhancing Student Support Project: Peer Support Strand
What is Peer Support:
Peer Support in the context of the University means a student with more experience
sharing their knowledge, skills, abilities and expertise with a new or less experienced
student. This is a reciprocal relationship, based on mutual respect and understanding
and is usually goal focused and time limited. Although all the models are different,
some of the common aims are listed below.
The Commitment:
By the AY 13/14 every School is mandated to have a Peer Support Project available
to at least one year group with the overall aim of providing peer support to all
students in the form PALS, Academic Families, Befriending, Mentoring, House
System and much more over the following years. Phase One will be for
undergraduate and Phase Two postgraduate and online students following on from the
overall ESS Project timeline.
Aims of Peer Support:







Foster a sense of belonging within the student community
Create a social space where students can make friends with other students who
have common interests
Encourage the forming of an intellectual community of learners where
students can exchange and discuss academic theories and ideas
Allow a space for incoming students to ask about course choices, common
pitfalls or even the best places to go out
Encourage integration between diverse student communities
Support students to develop strong inter-personal and communication skills
Allow senior students to grow in confidence and maturity as they facilitate the
learning and positive experience of junior year students
These models vary from informal to more structured projects, but all those involved
will attend training provided by EUSA and the University to ensure that all students
receive a quality experience.
Current Projects:










English Literature Autonomous Learning Groups
Geoscience Academic Families
Nursing Academic Families
Vet School House System
Economics Helpdesk
Informatics Helpdesk
Maths Helpdesk
Vet School Peer Supporters
PPLS Freshers Helpers Scheme
Maths for Physics Buddies














PPLS 4th year Dissertation Conference
HSS Peer Supporters
Economics Academic Families
International Buddies (Physics)
LawPALS
LEL Academic Families
BioPALS
PhysicsPALS
LawPALSHons
PsychPALS
LitPALS
PPLS Speaking Up Group
PPLS Psychology Study Group
PIR Buddy System
Projects under development:









VetPALS
InfPALS
Physics House System
ChemPALS
MathPALS
HCA Peer Support Project
GeoPALS
ECA Academic Families
Education Peer Supporters
Additional sources of Non-School Based Peer Support:







Peer Proofreading
International Buddies Programmes
Fast Track Online Resources
Tandem
Befriending Projects
Societies
Peer support virtual networks
What are the benefits of getting involved:











Opportunity to gain the Edinburgh Award
Develop leadership and teamwork abilities
Adaptability and strong inter-personal skills
An understanding of social dynamics
Potential Reference for future employment
An opportunity to deepen knowledge of the subject area through activities
Experience in public speaking
The ability to plan, run, manage and evaluate workshops
Presentation skills
Develop time-management and organisational skills
Develop further graduate attributes
Although individual projects may cater specifically to international, 1st year or postgraduate students, overall there will be a provision for all on campus undergraduate
students. We hope to develop these further throughout this Semester and looking
forward to the AY 2013/14.
The ‘Peer Support Toolkit’ (containing all the documents needed to set up a
Programme) will be available on the IAD website in the coming weeks. I will also be
available to run workshops/sessions with any Schools who are looking to develop
their Peer Support Provision.
The ESS Benchmarking and ‘Introduction to PALS’ Events were a huge success and
have inspired many staff and students to progress their projects.
Katie Scott
Peer Support Development Officer