The Peer Mentoring Scheme
"Students Supporting Students"
What is Peer Mentoring?
Peer Mentoring is an opportunity for you to be paired with a student who has completed a year or more of study at UWL. By sharing their experience of UWL and their course, a Peer Mentor can help you gain a greater understanding of what is required and give you a clearer insight into what lies ahead.
Traditionally pairings have been made based on students' course and level of study. However, following the expansion of the Peer Mentoring Scheme students can request to join a specific branch within Peer Mentoring. This includes our Wellbeing, International, Black and Mixed Heritage, Shared Lived Experience and Final Year Mentoring branches.
Where possible, there are other shared lived experiences that can be considered during the pairing process such as age, gender, ethnicity and parental status. Students are able to make these requests whilst registering or applying to be a part of the Peer Mentoring Scheme.
Types of Peer Mentoring at UWL
These are the mentoring branches currently available at UWL:
- Traditional - Paired based on course and level of study. This is usually the basis of pairings.
- Wellbeing - Paired based on both students studying with a wellbeing need.*
- International - Paired with another student who has also travelled to the UK to study.*
- Black and Mixed Heritage - Paired with another student who is the same ethnicity.*
- Shared Lived Experiences - Paired based on shared personal factors and not necessarily by course or level of study.
- Final Year - Paired as a final year student with a UWL graduate. Only accessible to Level 6 and 7 students – sign-up here
*Peer Mentors are usually students studying the same course at a level above their Mentee.
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.
Becoming a Peer Mentor
Follow these steps to become a Peer Mentor:
- Express your interest: Complete the application form or book onto a training session.
- Attend a training session: See the list below for upcoming training dates. If the application form has not been completed this will be sent to you after the session.
- Await review: The Peer Mentoring Scheme will review your form and begin the pairing process.
- Meet your Mentee: Once an appropriate pairing is decided you will be introduced to your Mentee via email.
If you have completed at least one year of study at UWL you can volunteer to become a Peer Mentor.
Training is provided and you can then use your experiences to help another student reach their potential and optimise their time at UWL. Being a Peer Mentor is flexible and can fit around your schedule. We believe everyone’s experience is valuable: regardless of your grades, you can have a positive impact on another student.
With your experience, you can help new students 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.
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Training sessions
We are running the following training sessions throughout the summer semester:
Quote
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."
Maddie Ramsey, Peer Mentor
Request support from a Peer Mentor
Follow these steps to become a Mentee:
- Express your interest: Complete the application form.
- Receive the key information about the mentoring expectations: By attending a Mentee Information Session (see the list below for upcoming mentee information session dates) or by having a phone call with a member of the Peer Mentoring Team.
- Await review: The Peer Mentoring Team will review your form and begin the pairing process.
- Meet your Peer Mentor: Once an appropriate pairing is decided you will be introduced to your Peer Mentor via email.
As a UWL student you have access to the Peer Mentoring Scheme regardless of your level of study. Whether you are studying in a foundation year, first year or second year you can receive support from a Peer Mentor.
We also offer Final Year Mentoring, which pairs final year students with a UWL graduate who can provide insight into life after graduation. These Mentors could be working in your chosen field of study and can offer career insights and advice.
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Information sessions
We are running the following information sessions throughout the summer semester:
- There are currently no sessions.
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 Scheme 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.