Interested in becoming a Student Minds Peer Support Trainer?
We recognise that many universities want to improve their knowledge of student-led peer support and be equipped to think strategically about how to scale up this work and coordinate it in-house. We’re offering Higher Education staff the opportunity to take part in our Train the Trainer programme for peer support. The course will enable you to run our existing peer support models, and at the same time give you more flexibility and opportunity to develop and run other initiatives.
What does the programme cover?
Drawing on our experience over the last seven years of setting up and managing peer support projects in universities across the UK, this programme gives university staff the knowledge, confidence and skills to run successful peer support projects at their institution.
The three-day training covers the entire process of running a peer support project and trainers are on hand to provide 1:1 support and guidance for you and your institution. Our training is designed to be practical and hands-on, giving you the opportunity to learn, practice and plan how you will implement your new knowledge.
The three-day training covers the entire process of running a peer support project and trainers are on hand to provide 1:1 support and guidance for you and your institution. Our training is designed to be practical and hands-on, giving you the opportunity to learn, practice and plan how you will implement your new knowledge.
Over the three-day training you will cover the following:
Day 1: Understanding mental health within the Higher Education landscape; the case for peer support; Student Minds’ Peer Support Courses; Student Minds' Facilitator training; training practice and feedback.
Day 2: Volunteer recruitment and management; supervision; establishing peer support at your institution.
Day 3: Building attendance at groups; data collection and monitoring impact; informal peer support; action planning.
Day 2: Volunteer recruitment and management; supervision; establishing peer support at your institution.
Day 3: Building attendance at groups; data collection and monitoring impact; informal peer support; action planning.
Following the training you will receive one year's support from a member of the Student Minds team who will help you to set up and implement a peer support project at your institution. You will receive a number of resources (available on our Trainer Hub) to help you run the programme successfully, including all the resources needed to run the peer support project as Student Minds does. This support may also include, but is not limited to, a Student Minds staff member joining you to assist with delivering your first student training, or you coming to observe one of our student training sessions.
You are expected to set up one peer support project and train one new group of student facilitators within a year to remain an accredited trainer. More details on the trainer requirements can be found below.
You will be supported for subsequent years, providing all terms of our trainer agreement are met and on payment of the annual membership fee.
You are expected to set up one peer support project and train one new group of student facilitators within a year to remain an accredited trainer. More details on the trainer requirements can be found below.
You will be supported for subsequent years, providing all terms of our trainer agreement are met and on payment of the annual membership fee.
Annual Requirements
- Take a look at the Trainer Agreement which outlines the conditions of becoming a trainer.
- Ensure all students who attend Peer Support Facilitator Training receive a Student Minds Handbook, available to order from us.
- Engage in at least one Trainer Development Event per year, either in person or through e-learning.
- Renew your annual membership fee. This is currently set at £250 which guarantees your status as an accredited trainer and provides access to our resources and support.
Training datesOur next training course will take place in Leeds on the 15-17th May. Please get in touch if you are interested and would like to find out more, by emailing operations@studentminds.org.uk. Location information Our training will take place at our offices in Leeds. Please note, there is no lift. If you have any access requirements please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided. Travel and accommodation The training venue is a 20 minute walk from the train station. A bus journey will take the same amount of time too as there is no direct link. Parking in central Leeds can be difficult and often expensive but you can find more information about car parking here . Unfortunately we are unable to provide any accommodation. |
CostsOur Peer Support Train the Trainer costs £1800 which includes:
An annual membership fee of £250 (included in the initial training fee for your first year of being a trainer) guarantees your status as an accredited Student Minds trainer and provides you with ongoing support from Student Minds, including resources and development opportunities. |
How to apply
Firstly we recommend getting in touch with us to arrange a phone call. We will then call you to discuss the programme and to see if this is the right opportunity for you and your institution.
If you are interested in applying to be Student Minds Peer Support Trainer then please take a look at our application guidelines before filling in the application form (below). In particular please make sure you have read and understood the Trainer Agreement.
To accompany your application you will also be required to send in a letter of support from your employer.
Once you have completed these documents please send them to operations@studentminds.org.uk.
If you are interested in applying to be Student Minds Peer Support Trainer then please take a look at our application guidelines before filling in the application form (below). In particular please make sure you have read and understood the Trainer Agreement.
To accompany your application you will also be required to send in a letter of support from your employer.
Once you have completed these documents please send them to operations@studentminds.org.uk.