Newcastle University’s Peer Mentoring Scheme

Working in partnership

The Peer Mentoring team is committed to supporting the University’s Education for Life Strategy, and its commitment to offering education which is a joint endeavour. We do this by empowering staff and students to work in partnership to co-create a peer mentoring experience which fully supports new undergraduates’ transition to university.

The aim of Peer Mentoring is to enable all undergraduate students to make a smooth transition to their programme of study, successfully integrating into university life. Making the decision to attend university is a momentous step in a person’s life, and for some new undergraduate students the transition into university life can initially be an academically, socially and emotionally challenging experience. By working collaboratively with our current students we can help to enhance this transition period and the overall experience of new students. 

Current students also benefit from their role as a Peer Mentor. Supported by the Careers Service through a process of reflection, they overwhelmingly report significantly improved confidence, resilience, attributes and skills needed to transform their own lives and to excel in their chosen futures.

The Peer Mentoring scheme is for new undergraduate students across all Newcastle University campuses. New taught postgraduate students and postgraduate researchers are supported with alternative induction and transition activities.

 For your Peer Mentoring scheme, you can expect that:

• We will work directly with Schools and Staff Coordinators to support their recruitment of sufficient Peer Mentors for their scheme.
• We will provide timely and accessible core training for all Peer Mentors, and ways for Peer Mentors to extend their own learning and development.
• We will highlight the achievements of Peer Mentors and our prize winners at the annual Peer Mentor Thank You Event and through the Student Experience Blog.
• Peer Mentors who submit a reflective log will be given recognition on their HEAR and a digital badge. Their time in the role can also be used towards the NCL+ Award.
• We will monitor, review, and evaluate the scheme on an annual basis via the Peer Mentor and Mentee surveys.
• We will produce an annual report for the Student Experience Sub Committee and implement improvements in collaboration with Schools, Peer Mentors and their mentees.
• We will be contactable via a dedicated Peer Mentoring email address (peer.mentoring@ncl.ac.uk). We respond to all queries in a timely manner.

 Your School will support the scheme by:

• Appointing a suitably experienced member of staff as Staff Coordinator for their discipline-specific scheme and allowing them adequate time to fulfil the role.
• Ensuring that Staff Coordinators cary out the responsibilities for the effective running of their local Peer Mentoring scheme. This includes leading the recruitment, training and coordination of current undergraduate students who will act as Peer Mentors. They will also arrange for the allocation of mentee groups and prearrival communication to be sent out. They will liaise with their School to ensure that Peer Mentors and mentees meet in person during the induction period.
• Providing an effective point of contact through the Staff Coordinator between academic units and the Library’s Peer Mentoring team.
• Ensuring Peer Mentors have an effective means of contacting their Staff Coordinator or relevant team to provide support and answer queries throughout Semester 1.
• Including a feedback mechanism in their Canvas Communities, so all students can alert them to potential issues or needs in relation to their Peer Mentoring experience.
• Permitting mentee(s) to be reallocated to a different Peer Mentor should this be considered necessary.
• Making sure that all parties adhere to the University’s safeguarding policy.
• Promoting and endorsing Peer Mentoring within the School and highlighting the work and achievement of their Peer Mentors.

 Peer Mentors can make the most of their role by:

• Completing Peer Mentor training to prepare them for the role.
• Contacting their mentees prior to the start of the academic year, giving mentees the opportunity to ask any questions and allowing them to meet their fellow mentees before they arrive at Newcastle University.
• Meeting their mentees in person for the first time during the induction period.
• Answering queries and meeting their mentee group regularly throughout semester 1.
• Taking advantage of further training opportunities to extend their own learning and development.

Advocacy and student representation, including Peer Mentoring, are considered voluntary roles and are therefore not included in the monitoring of hours required by UKVI.

 Mentees can make the most of the scheme by:

• Engaging with their Peer Mentor: ongoing engagement with their Peer Mentor is crucial for the success of the scheme for all parties. Mentees are expected to contribute equally and to develop a mentoring relationship based on trust, confidentiality and mutual respect. This includes attending meetings on time and contributing to discussions. 
• Asking questions: this scheme is run for new students and so, to maximise the benefit, mentees should take advantage of their Peer Mentor’s knowledge and experiences.
• Engaging with their peer mentoring group: this is a great way to get to know other students (who will be going through the same transitional challenges as them), to engage in fun social activities and to make new friends.
• Taking action: Peer Mentors are well placed through their student experience and training to give advice. Mentees should follow up on any tips and signposting given to them to make the most of the scheme.
• Reaching out: mentees should contact their Peer Mentor if they need support and advice. If they are experiencing any problems with the scheme they should contact their Staff Coordinator in the first instance.

We welcome feedback on the Peer Mentoring scheme at any time.