Time framesWhen setting up a group we work within the academic year to recruit and train volunteers to make sure that we can advertise to as many students as possible.
Volunteers cannot run Student Minds peer support groups until they have been trained. |
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Training volunteers
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We have developed a two-day training programme to give volunteers the skills they need to facilitate safe and effective peer support groups. Our training covers:
We run group peer-support training as a residential course in Oxford. These weekends run throughout the year and we will usually train between 14 and 18 students each time. If you would prefer us to deliver training at your university, this can be arranged for a fixed price. |
"Your support system is very lucid and helpful, and you are always in touch to check how we're doing. Brill!" |
Supervision
Our supervision allows volunteers to reflect on the experience of running group sessions and to discuss ways to continue developing their skills through the role. If you would like your group to be part of the Student Minds supervision system, we will match the group up with a supervisor who will run short weekly supervision sessions for the volunteers. All of our supervisors are university graduates who have previously run Student Minds peer support programmes. Supervisors report back to the staff team regularly, letting the Student Minds staff team know if there are any problems. Where appropriate, the Student Minds staff team can follow up with further support and get in touch with the group’s local university contact.
Project Management
We need to continuously recruit, train and supervise volunteers to make peer support programmes sustainable and successful. Each year we run a national recruitment process for our existing groups, which includes coordination and promotion of an online application process. We’ll also support the recruitment process itself.
As part of our project management support package, we:
Our supervision allows volunteers to reflect on the experience of running group sessions and to discuss ways to continue developing their skills through the role. If you would like your group to be part of the Student Minds supervision system, we will match the group up with a supervisor who will run short weekly supervision sessions for the volunteers. All of our supervisors are university graduates who have previously run Student Minds peer support programmes. Supervisors report back to the staff team regularly, letting the Student Minds staff team know if there are any problems. Where appropriate, the Student Minds staff team can follow up with further support and get in touch with the group’s local university contact.
Project Management
We need to continuously recruit, train and supervise volunteers to make peer support programmes sustainable and successful. Each year we run a national recruitment process for our existing groups, which includes coordination and promotion of an online application process. We’ll also support the recruitment process itself.
As part of our project management support package, we:
- provide access to a range of online e-learning modules and ‘how to’ guides
- provide templates to support running a support group including group session hand-outs; template posters and publicity materials.
- give volunteers the opportunity to have their activities promoted across the network
- send volunteer updates, which include key reminders around the logistics of running a support group and publicity of a range of complimentary events and awareness days throughout the university calendar.
- arrange up to two campus visits by a Student Minds staff member each year as part of our ongoing support for the group
Costs
Costs will vary depending on the number of groups and the number of volunteers trained within each group. We’ve provided an example of our costs below:
Costs per year |
Volunteer training |
Supervision |
Project management |
Total |
A single peer support group, training 6 facilitators in Oxford (recommended number) |
£960 (£160 per volunteer) |
£400 |
£700 |
£2060 |
Two peer support groups (e.g. Positive Minds and Motivate Me) training 12 volunteers in Oxford |
£1,920 |
£800 |
£700* |
£3420 |
One peer support group, workshop at your institution |
£1500 |
£400 |
£700 |
£2600 |
*We charge a flat rate for project management, no matter how many groups you establish at your university.
**Please note that Student Minds can only take responsibility for groups that receive supervision from Student Minds; if we are not providing supervision for the group then this responsibility needs to be taken on by the university, Student Union or counselling service as appropriate. All other costs associated with the group are compulsory.
**Please note that Student Minds can only take responsibility for groups that receive supervision from Student Minds; if we are not providing supervision for the group then this responsibility needs to be taken on by the university, Student Union or counselling service as appropriate. All other costs associated with the group are compulsory.