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Peer Support

What is Peer Support? 

Peer Support is a student-centred scheme aimed at supporting new students, which brings students with shared experiences together to provide support to each other academically and emotionally. It can be a great way to help ease your transition into University life through speaking to students who have been in a similar situation to yourself.  

The Peer Support scheme is run by volunteer students and can offer support with various aspects of your University experience. From making friends and settling in, to helping you understand the expectations of academic study and dealing with assessment worries. This scheme is currently running for new Foundation year students by volunteer students who have previously studied on the IFY course. 

 

Calva Bar, Various groups of students in Calva bar chatting and having fun.Clearing open days,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like help from the Peer Support Volunteers please email peersupport@cumbria.ac.uk. Look out for Blackboard announcements about Drop-in Sessions and for access to the Peer Support Teams Channel.

  • Participating in Peer Support

    Peer Support aims to support new students as they transition and settle into their first year of University​. Through participating in Peer Support students can:

    • Build a safe space to ask questions. 
    • Create a support network through sharing knowledge and experience to help each other on a variety of topics such as student services, life as a student, study tips, etc. ​
    • Provide a space where students feel accepted, heard and understood.​
    • Build a community and create a sense of belonging at University. 

    Coming soon: A programme of activities co-ordinated by Peer Support volunteers for Semester 1. 

  • Useful Resources: Curated BY students FOR students

    Coming soon to this section:

    • Videos and articles created by students aimed at helping other students.
    • Links to resources other students have found useful and would recommend to others .

  • Become a Peer Support Volunteer

    By volunteering to be a part of Peer Support you can:

    • Have a say in how the University can better support students 
    • Gain valuable employability skills  
    • Get leadership and teamworking experience 
    • Become part of a community and build relationships within the University 
    • Help students settle in and navigate University life 

    What does volunteering for Peer Support involve? 

    Peer support is run by students, for students. This means that there is lots of scope for students to shape the design of Peer Support in ways they feel will be the most useful, while being supported by members of staff.  

    Providing peer support can include: 

    • Regular in-person drop-in sessions where students can come for advice and support on a variety of issues 
    • A dedicated Teams chat where students can ask and answer questions 
    •  Occasional events/pop-up stands at key points throughout the year (Induction, transition to level 4) 
    • Giving feedback on/aiding in the creation of resources for students 
    • Signposting students to student services and/or useful resources 
    • Maintaining a presence on social media 

    As a volunteer, you can choose to contribute in a way that works for you, allowing you to utilise your existing skills and build new skills in areas you are interested in.  

    Although Peer Support requires a consistent commitment throughout the academic year, it is up to you how much time you put in and when, allowing you to fit volunteering in with your existing schedule. 

    If you are interested in getting involved with Peer Support or want to find out more, please email peersupport@cumbria.ac.uk.  

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