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
University of St Andrews
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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
University of St Andrews
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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
Student Support Services
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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
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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
Main areas of work
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Providing one-to-one support – befriending,
buddying, mentoring - to students requiring
help or assistance
Facilitating or assisting with student selfhelp 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
Current set up
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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
One to One peer support
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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
Examples of support
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Working with students who self-harm,
have suicidal thoughts, depression
Social anxiety
Transition to University
Students with disabilities
Vulnerable or alone
Trauma or loss
Freshers / Orientation
Seen as vital – each student gave 25
hours each in that week
• Airport welcome
• Lead in specific events
• General organisation
Awareness events 2009/10
Eating disorders week
 No Smoking day
 Give blood
 Depression awareness
 Sexual health
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Lessons learned
Recruitment
 Clarity of expectations
 Supporting volunteers
 Training
 Coordination
 Team building
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Recruitment
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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
Clarity of expectations
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What we expect from the volunteers
What they can expect from us
Aided by:
• Role description
• Contract
• Monitoring
• Training programme in advance
Supporting volunteers
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Providing appropriate supervision
Ensuring they feel comfortable about
seeking support for themselves
Valuing their work
Team - can support themselves
Value of feedback
Social events
Training
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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
Training subjects
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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
Coordination
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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
Team Building
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Group of peer supporters need to be a
team
The peer supporters need to be part
of the bigger team – Student Support
Services
Realistic
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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
Benefits to the University
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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
Benefits to students
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Unique - different to professional
support
A community that cares - a sense of
belonging
Make friends
Practical help
More contact time
Benefits to the Peer Supporter
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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
“If you want to lift yourself
up, lift someone else up”
- Booker T Washington