A Chat with UCC Peer Support
By Opinion Editor Baneen Talpur
UCC Peer support is a campus wide initiative where current students support first years’ transition into university. For this issue of the UCC express, I have interviewed the programme’s coordinator Dave Carey and senior executive assistant Stephen Dorney, to learn more about the initiative and how it started.
For those of us who are unaware of the UCC Peer Support programme, can you please briefly explain it in your own words?
SD: UCC Peer Support is a campus-wide volunteer support service run by students for students. The programme recruits and trains students in second year upwards to become Peer Support Leaders (PSLs). The PSL role is to help first years and international students transition into university life and to act as a guide and support contact for any issues they may have. All first years and newly entered undergraduate international students are automatically assigned a PSL.
Where did the idea for Peer Support come from?
DC: The Peer Support programme began as a pilot in 2009. Student feedback had consistently shown each year that students felt they would have found it easier to settle into the university if they had been able to speak to other students for advice rather than always calling upon staff members. The initial pilot was a success and the programme has grown from strength to strength since then.
Are there services like this in other universities?
DC: Yes, several other universities have a form of Peer Support model and we regularly meet with their coordinators to share ideas and learn from each other. UCC and Trinity have the two longest running and most active programmes in the country.
PSLs are trained to deal with student queries in everything from social support, well-being, guidance on financial support, general academic queries and more.
Engagement in the Peer Support programme will see PSLs receive a UCC EmployAgility Award through Career Services
How have first years benefitted from the programme and from having a peer support leader?
SD: In many cases, a PSL is the difference between UCC retaining a student and losing a student. PSLs are trained to deal with student queries in everything from social support, well-being, guidance on financial support, general academic queries, and more. Just by having a person open and willing to help makes students more at ease in the university setting, particularly if they’re struggling.
The programme also increases the confidence of all students involved, including the PSLs themselves. Many volunteers down through the years have stated that their assigned students have gone from struggling in UCC to finding a home. That, ultimately, is what the programme is all about.
What are the benefits of becoming a Peer Support Leader?
SD: Throughout the academic year, PSLs build voluntary hours. Engagement in the Peer Support programme will see PSL service acknowledged on their academic scripts. If enough hours are accrued, awards are given at the Peer Support Awards ceremony at the end of the academic year.
Peer Support is a worthwhile programme for both the newly entered students and PSLs which doesn’t eat into any academic duties. Time given to Peer Support is moulded around PSL volunteers’ own schedules and timetables.
As stated previously, the programme also increases confidence for everyone involved, which is extremely beneficial in life both inside and outside of university.
Can you tell us about the new Autism Support Programme?
SD: In the 2023/2024 academic year, UCC Peer Support began a pilot for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in conjunction with Disability Support Services (DSS) here in UCC. This involved training current PSLs, whilst also incorporating their experience and previous training on the programme to date, in supporting students with ASD. As it has only just been incorporated, the final vision and structure of the ASD programme still needs to be fully ironed out but so far engagement has increased as of the end of semester one just past.
DC: The concept for the programme, as with everything within Peer Support, was driven by the students. There was consistent feedback to Peer Support, DSS and the Students' Union that a student-to-student support model would be great to have in place to help with university transitions for this group. The initiative was developed from what we were hearing from the student voice. Our aim as the initiative progresses is to ensure that every ASD student in the university is provided with a Peer Support Leader who will meet with them one-to-one on a regularly scheduled basis, making them feel supported and easing their transition into the university community.
Do you have anything else that you would like to add?
Peer Support is a student-centred programme and can only remain successful through the dedication and hard work of the huge amount of students who volunteer and put themselves forward to help their fellow students each year. So, as we are currently recruiting for next year’s Leaders, we strongly encourage anyone who is interested in developing new skills and helping others to apply. The deadline for applications is midnight, Wednesday, February 21 2024. The application form can be found here.
UCC Peer Support is really a worthwhile programme, and the feeling you get volunteering in supporting new UCC students is a great one. It looks fantastic on a CV and shows recruiters you are willing to engage with people and volunteer to help others.
With plenty of other exciting developments on the horizon within the Peer Support programme. There hasn't been a better time to join the team!
