An in depth case study of a Peer Support Programme from a Director’s point of view

1. An in depth case study of aPeer Support Programmefrom a Director’s point of view Ailsa Ritchie Director of Student Support University of St Andrews

2. University of St Andrews • Ancient - The University of St Andrews dates back to 1413 • 7000 students • The town of St Andrews is small - 16000 in total and located on the edge of the North sea • An International community with students from over 100 countries world wide - 30% of our student population

3. University of St Andrews • Ranked 1st in Scotland and 4th in UK in national league • Only 5% students commute and 95% are far from home and any support systems they may have • High level of volunteering generally - very committed students

4. Student Support Services • A central unit providing support and advice to students across a number of areas : • Personal and emotional • Mental health and wellbeing • Disability Support • International advice • Academic advice • Financial advice and grants • Fresher’s/Orientation Week

5. Peer Support at St Andrews “Supnet”- Support Network

6. Started in 1994 Originally as an aid to the department Started off with a few peer supporters and grew to 10 quickly Developed and funded by an external trust - dedicated staff member Increased to approx 30 peer supporters Development

7. Main areas of work • Providing one-to-one support – befriending, buddying, mentoring - to students requiring help or assistance • Facilitating or assisting with student self-help networks and groups, • Assisting with student orientation, awareness-raising, delivering workshops or facilitating events, • Assisting with office and administrative tasks where additional help is required

8. Current set up • Currently 18 volunteers • 2 recruitment drives a year • Managed by one member of staff as part of her job • Fortnightly training programme • Supervised by staff of Student Support who refer the students to the peer supporter

9. One to One peer support • Total of 450 hours given this year – 25 hours by each student • Referral by coordinator / other staff in Student Support Services • Student manages the referral-open ended

10. Examples of support • Working with students who self-harm, have suicidal thoughts, depression • Social anxiety • Transition to University • Students with disabilities • Vulnerable or alone • Trauma or loss

11. Freshers / Orientation Seen as vital – each student gave 25 hours each in that week • Airport welcome • Lead in specific events • General organisation

12. Awareness events 2009/10 • Eating disorders week • No Smoking day • Give blood • Depression awareness • Sexual health

13. Lessons learned • Recruitment • Clarity of expectations • Supporting volunteers • Training • Coordination • Team building

14. Recruitment • Profile/Perceptions • Clarity of role and skills required • Reflect the student profile - eg PG, International • Students who have experienced Supnet themselves can be valuable recruits

15. Clarity of expectations • What we expect from the volunteers • What they can expect from us Aided by: • Role description • Contract • Monitoring • Training programme in advance

16. Supporting volunteers • Providing appropriate supervision • Ensuring they feel comfortable about seeking support for themselves • Valuing their work • Team - can support themselves • Value of feedback • Social events

17. Training • Set programme in advance • Use staff in your service - aids team building • Shared training with staff • Using them to train/help other staff in University • Using them to provide induction for new supnetters

18. Training subjects • Fife Self Harm Early Response • Fife Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre • Social Phobias • Dealing with Trauma • Student Services • Active Listening Skills • Depression • Disabilities (in particular Asperger’s Syndrome) • Team Building • Eating Disorders

19. Coordination • One staff point of contact for coordination • Use their organisational skills – aids personal development • Staff need clear information on how to use the peer supporters • Communication- let students develop their ways • Advertising/publicity

20. Team Building • Group of peer supporters need to be a team • The peer supporters need to be part of the bigger team – Student Support Services

21. Realistic • Numbers - use them or lose them • Try out things but review and reject - not necessarily failure • Don’t take on projects that you will not be able to realise • Accept that things will change and develop

22. Benefits to the University • Shows we are a community and care and value all members of that community • Positive aspect of Student Experience • Keeping in touch with student population • Practical - need extra pairs of hands

23. Benefits to students • Unique - different to professional support • A community that cares - a sense of belonging • Make friends • Practical help • More contact time

24. Benefits to the Peer Supporter • Learn new skills • Personal and career development • Gain different kinds of experiences • Be a part of a team and a community • Gain credit - St Andrews Award • Other opportunities in University • Personal fulfilment

25. “If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up” - Booker T Washington