Xiaohongshu
| Job Title | Peer Link Worker (6 Posts Available) |
| Department | Advice Service |
|
Reports to |
Engagement Coordinator, PsychUP for Wellbeing (Division of Psychology and Language Sciences) Advice & Advocacy Manager (Students’ Union UCL) |
| Rate of Pay | £11.94 p/h (Student Staff Higher 1) |
| Hours of Work | 5 hours per week (flexible) |
| Duration | Initial pilot project (April - August 2021) |
|
Deadline |
Thursday 15 April 2021 |
|
Interviews |
week beginning 19 April 2021 |
Applications have now closed. Thank you for your interest.
Context of the job
The life of a student presents its own unique challenges. For new students starting a new university course this might be getting used to a new environment, establishing new friendships or managing academic challenges. For those who have settled into University life there may be on-going concerns about emotional health and well-being, finances, housing, academic performance and any number of other issues. We know from what students tell us, that understanding, navigating and accessing the right support can be really challenging. The Covid-19 pandemic brings new challenges for the provision of services for students and Students’ Union UCL, as well as ensuring students are supported, is keen to ensure students do not face additional barriers to accessing support.
Students’ Union UCL is working in partnership with Psychology Informing University Practices for Wellbeing (PsychUP for Wellbeing), a student mental health programme based in the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, and iCope, the psychological therapies service based in Camden and Islington NHS, to pilot a new peer support service for UCL students.
Student Minds defines peer support as ‘support provided by and for people with similar conditions, problems or experiences. It is based on the belief that people who have faced and overcome adversity can offer support, encouragement and hope to others facing similar situations.’
Students’ Union UCL is looking to recruit and train six students who will help deliver the pilot service in the role of ‘Peer Link Workers’, supporting their fellow students through the provision of workshops, facilitated group sessions and 1-2-1 support.
**Please note that due to the pandemic all aspects of this pilot, including training and the provision of peer support, will be delivered online. There will be no requirement to come on to campus or participate in activities face to face**
Purpose of the job
Students will have online access to pre-recorded workshops aimed at supporting students with academic issues (e.g., perfectionism, assertiveness, stress and relaxation) delivered by 1st year Trainee Clinical Psychologists (TCPs) from iCope. There will then be the opportunity to attend a live follow-up session with the TCP and peer supporters. Students will then be offered on-going peer support accessed via an online platform to allow supportive discussions facilitated by the peer supporters.
This peer support intervention aims to:
- Create a culture amongst the student population that encourages openness about mental health difficulties and help-seeking.
- Create a network of students able to support their peers through signposting to other services and support, helping them to navigate available support services.
- Facilitating students linking with their peers around shared challenges.
The Peer Link Workers (PLWs) will provide peer support to UCL students who have signed-up for support through the programme. PLWs will attend and help co-facilitate the live follow-up sessions to the online workshops. They will provide a student perspective on the workshop topic, general advice and guidance and signpost to other services accordingly. They will also be responsible for facilitating an online platform designed to allow students to discuss wellbeing topics in a safe environment.