Peer Mentoring Workshop ‘What’s in it for me?’ Jane Bland Noel-Ann Bradshaw Corin Russell Justin Williams Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Agenda Introductory exercise Motivation, Background and Implementation Training of mentors Maintaining scheme Review of last year Next year Over to you Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Background & Set up Why was this needed? – Large first year – Helpful for first year tutor Important factors to be considered – Supervision – Duration – Risk assessment Who can be a mentor? Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Mentors’ Qualities Good communicators Outgoing Organised On top of their studies Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Implementation Who should NOT be a mentor? Allocation of mentees to a mentor Activities Induction week Meeting with mentors Dealing with problems Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Office of Student Affairs Greenwich Campus MENTORS BRIEFING Jane Bland, Student Affairs Noel-Ann Bradshaw, CMS

Office of Student Affairs Greenwich Campus Role of a Mentor Listening Taking an interest Creating a climate of trust Sharing experiences & knowledge of the University Facilitating the mentee in setting own agenda Managing the relationship

Office of Student Affairs Greenwich Campus What Mentors do not do A mentor is NOT A counsellor A social worker A financial adviser Academic or personal tutor if you think your mentee could benefit from professional help, inform a member of staff

Office of Student Affairs Greenwich Campus Do’s and Don’ts You set the parameters of the relationship Do ask for advice from a member of staff if you are concerned Don’t ‘gossip’ about your mentee to others Do notice if you think the mentee is becoming dependent on you Be positive

Office of Student Affairs Greenwich Campus What is expected of mentees? Reply to their mentor when they make contact Attend agreed meetings Be on time Remember a mentor is also a student with a busy timetable Respect the mentor’s personal time & academic commitments

Office of Student Affairs Greenwich Campus What you gain Work experience Leadership Skills Motivational skills & time management Learn about diversity and cultural awareness Confidentiality & data protection

Office of Student Affairs Greenwich Campus Endings Very Important A celebration Debriefing

Mentors Evaluation What the mentors said: ‘An amazing learning experience for mentors as well as Freshers.’ ‘ I felt I could use the things I learned in my first year to make the lives of the new first years a lot easier.’ ‘We acted as intermediaries between the mentees and the school thus reducing the load.’ Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Mentees Evaluation What the mentees said: ‘It has really helped me to organise myself and blend into the university system with ease.’ ‘I think it’s great to have support and advice from students that have done it all before.’ ‘I believe that without the support of my mentors I would have given up on the course.’ Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Staff Evaluation View of the department / school / university: ‘The mentoring scheme was remarkably successful in helping the new students find their feet….The result was that the first few weeks went exceptionally smoothly and…… these weeks were less stressful to staff than in previous years.’ Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Changes for next year 3 rd year students help to implement scheme Slightly longer duration Separate group for late comers – run by 3 rd years More activities for the mentors to get to know their groups Mentor agreement Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus

Implementing YOUR Mentoring Project What would make this possible? What would prevent this happening? Department of Mathematics Greenwich Campus