Peer Mentoring Service -
"Students Supporting Students"
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Volunteering as a Peer Mentor can empower you to use your student experience to help other students develop key skills and build their confidence at UWL.
As a Mentee, you will have the opportunity to have regular sessions with another student who is studying at a level above you and can help you gain the maximum from your university experience.
What is Peer Mentoring?
Peer Mentoring is a formal relationship in which a student who has studied at UWL for a year or more shares their experience to guide and support another student. Whether you sign up as a Mentor or a Mentee, Peer Mentoring can help to enhance your academic and social confidence.
There are three Mentoring programmes available to students at the University of West London; these include our Traditional, Shared Lived Experience and Final Year programmes.
Peer Mentoring programmes at UWL
Traditional programme
The Traditional Peer Mentoring programme pairs students based on studying a similar course or within the same school/college. Students volunteering as a Traditional Peer Mentor will be studying in the year(s) ahead of their Mentee. Students can select if they would like age and gender to be considered as a secondary option within the pairing process, where there is availability.
Shared Lived Experience programme
On the Shared Lived Experience Peer Mentoring programme, students can select to be paired within any of the following branches:
- International: Paired with another student who has also travelled to the UK to study.
- Wellbeing: Paired based on both students studying with a wellbeing need.
- Black and Mixed Heritage: Paired with another student who is of the same ethnicity.
- Mature learners: Paired based on age. Students aged 21+ are paired with another student who is also a mature learner.
The personal factor selected by students in this programme will only be used during the pairing process; we do not share this information with the Peer Mentor/Mentee. Once paired, it is up to both students to decide what they choose to share with each other.
Final Year Mentoring programme
Level 6 and 7 students are eligible to sign up to the Final Year Mentoring programme. The students on this programme are paired with a UWL Graduate to receive useful advice and insight related to key areas, such as:
- Final year dissertations/projects
- Goal setting and career planning
- Essential skills for the workplace
- Study skills and techniques
The pairing process for the academic year 2024/25 will start in October 2024 and continue throughout each semester. If we can pair you before this time (including during the summer period) we aim to contact you to inform you that a pairing has been found.
Volunteering as a Peer Mentor
By volunteering as a Peer Mentor, you could help another student to gain a better understanding of what to expect, discuss topic areas, enhance key skills over the academic year and feel part of the UWL community.
Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship which can help with expanding your skillset and building your experience.
Benefits of volunteering as a Peer Mentor:
- Develops employability skills
- Enhances CV and LinkedIn profile
- Opportunity to gain student volunteering hours
- Eligibility to receive awards and certificates
The Peer Mentor training taught me what to expect, provided me with great conversation starters, and taught me all the rules I needed to know. I began feeling ready and prepared to help our new students."
If you have completed at least one year of study at UWL you can volunteer to become a Peer Mentor.
Training is provided to prepare students for the role of a Peer Mentor. These hours count towards your student volunteering hours. Our upcoming training sessions are listed below, please book onto the session that is most convenient for you.
Receiving support from a Peer Mentor
As a Mentee you can arrange regular in-person or virtual sessions with a Peer Mentor who has undertaken training to provide support to students. Based on which programme you select, this student could either be studying the same or similar course as you in the years ahead or share the same lived experience as you.
A Peer Mentor can use their experience of studying at the University to support you with navigating challenges you may encounter during your studies.
To find out more about our Peer Mentoring programmes, please book onto our upcoming information sessions below or contact our Peer Mentoring team on 020 8209 4382 or Peer.Mentoring@uwl.ac.uk
Awards and certificates
Peer Mentoring Certificate
All students who volunteer as a Peer Mentor will be awarded a volunteering certificate.
Peer Mentors who complete ten hours of Peer Mentoring will be awarded a volunteering certificate. Any verified hours on top of that can be put forward for one of the below awards:
- Bronze award – 25 hours or more
- Silver Award – 50 hours or more
- Gold Award – 100 hours or more
- Platinum Award – 200 hours or more.
For example, if you have completed 35 hours of Peer Mentoring, you will be awarded a Peer Mentoring award and a Bronze award.
Awards
Students are able be nominated to receive a Peer Mentor of the Year Award. A Peer Mentor can nominate themselves or be nominated by other students.
Previous winners of this award:
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Isha Balliston - BNursing (Hons) Adult Nursing
Quote from Mentee:
She has been the biggest form of support I've had from the University, helping with all my worries and queries along the way. She has been there the whole time, and my first year of uni would not have been the same without her help. I can't thank her enough."
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Katelyn Oakley - BNursing (Hons) Children's Nursing
Quote from Mentee:
She always checks up on me to ensure I'm doing ok. She has supported me immensely every day in everything I asked her or wanted to know, whether it be wanting to know about placement, modules, academic work, my writing, etc. She has also given me hours of her time on specific days when I felt low, which allowed me to successfully complete my work due to her emotional support."
Additional support
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are weekly study sessions for Level 4 students, led by PASS Leaders who are Level 5 or 6 students studying the same course. The Peer Mentoring Service coordinate PASS at UWL. It is an initiative that gives students the opportunity to learn collaboratively with their peers.
FAQs
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What are the requirements to become a Peer Mentor?
You must have completed one year of study to become a Peer Mentor.
We believe everyone’s experience is valuable, regardless of your grades, you can have a positive impact on another student.
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Why should I become a Peer Mentor?
Volunteering as a Peer Mentor is a rewarding experience as you get to help another student grow and develop. Being a Peer Mentor can also improve your communication skills, increase your confidence, help reinforce your learning and enhance your CV.
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What will Mentoring involve?
Mentoring is a continuous process whereby a Mentee is paired with a Mentor who is studying the same or a similar course to them and has already completed a year or more of their study. Mentors help to support individuals with developing skills and helping to ease the transition into higher education as it allows Mentees to obtain additional support.
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How do I volunteer as a Peer Mentor?
To volunteer as a Peer Mentor, please register your interest using our online form. You must complete a training session and meet the requirements to become a Peer Mentor before signing up.
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I am a first year student, can I volunteer as a Peer Mentor?
If you have completed a foundation year at UWL, you can be a Peer Mentor to someone studying in the foundation year.
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I am graduating soon, can I still volunteer as a Peer Mentor?
Yes, of course you can, you can be a part of the Final Year Mentoring Scheme.
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What if I am not available to attend the training day?
Training is a mandatory part of the Mentoring process in order to put you in the best position to mentor another student. We offer a variety of training days and hopefully one of those days will be convenient for you.
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How will I submit my Mentoring record?
Once you train as a Peer Mentor you will be provided with a document to record your hours. We ask you to update this document regularly, but you do not need to submit it until we request it.
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How can I meet with my Mentee?
Mentoring fits around both the Mentee and Mentor's time commitments. You can arrange to meet at a time that is most convenient to both of you. You are welcome to have your Mentoring sessions on campus or virtually by Teams.
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How long does it take to be paired?
We have two semesters and our aim is to train and pair Peer Mentor with Mentees by the second month of each semester. You can still volunteer or request a Peer Mentor throughout the year. Where pairings are not possible, Peer Mentor and Mentees will be placed on a waiting list until a pairing is possible.
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Is it possible to be both a Mentor and a Mentee?
Yes, you can volunteer as a Peer Mentor and also be a Mentee.
FAQs for Mentees
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I am in my final year, can I be supported by a Peer Mentor?
Yes, we offer a Final Year Mentoring option which pairs you with a UWL graduate in your chosen field of study. They can provide support with careers advice and information about life after graduation.
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I am a Masters student, can I apply to be a Mentee?
As a Masters student you are eligible to join the Final Year Mentoring Scheme where you can be paired with a UWL graduate in your chosen field of study.
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Will my Peer Mentor proof read my work?
Mentors are not expected to correct or do any of their Mentee’s work. Mentoring is about empowering students to approach their work independently. Your Mentor can make you aware of the appropriate University services to get advice from regarding your academic work (eg lecturers and the Study Support team).
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How often can I see my Peer Mentor?
Peer Mentors are students themselves who have their own personal and study commitments. We recommend Mentoring sessions happen twice a month for 30 - 60 minutes and all meetings should be mutually agreed to fit both parties' schedules.