An in depth case study of a Peer Support Programme from a Director’s point of view Ailsa Ritchie Director of Student Support University of St Andrews

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

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

Student Support Services A central unit providing support and advice to students across a number of areas : 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

Peer Support at St Andrews “Supnet”- Support Network

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

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

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

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

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

Freshers / Orientation Seen as vital – each student gave 25 hours each in that week Airport welcomeAirport welcome Lead in specific eventsLead in specific events General organisationGeneral organisation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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