To register your interest to become a Mentor click here, we will then be in touch with details of the training and next steps.  If you wish to become a Distance Learning Mentor then please email peermentoring@leicester.ac.uk
using the subject “Distance Learning Peer Mentoring” and detail which school you are part of, the course you’re on, and what level/year you are. peermenotring

1. Take on as much or as little responsibility as you wish

Don't have much time to spare but still want to build your CV?

As a Peer Mentor, we expect you to undertake the initial training and to fulfill a few more responsibilities, but outside of this we will not pressure you to take on anything further. In the training we outline in detail what will be required of you but it largely includes: a) sending four core emails to your Mentees throughout September- end of January, b) meeting your Mentees at least once (virtually or face-to-face) and finally, c) filling in a short evaluation of the scheme, along with any professional expectations we would have as a basis for any volunteer.

Looking to develop yourself and your CV further?

As a Peer Mentor, you have access to our Peer Mentor Accreditation Scheme and all the other benefits listed below, but you always have the opportunity to expand this further. If you wish to deliver a one-off event for your department, try out a new format for your meetings with Mentees, wish to support the Lead Mentors in your school in further developing the scheme or have any other ideas, then just talk to the Peer Mentoring team or the Lead Mentor in your school and we will see how we can help you develop yourself professionally.

2. Three-level Peer Mentor Accreditation Scheme

The base level

This means you have completed the basic elements of the role, this includes the initial Peer Mentor Training and the other components such as sending the four core emails. 

How can I  achieve the Merit or Distinction accreditation levels?

If take part in additional Mentoring Opportunities such as Study Abroad Peer Mentoring, International Students Mentoring Scheme, additional contact/ meetings with your mentees, contribute to Union Campaigns or attend forums and Union meetings such as Annual Members meeting and Student Council all will go towards your Accreditation.

3. Recognition on the Volunteering Portal

As a Peer Mentor you are allowed access to the Volunteering Portal. For each of your 4 core emails as a Peer Mentor you can log 1.5 hours on the portal, meaning you can log 6 hours in total at the end of the scheme for just sending your emails. You can also log hours for attending large scale events such as Peer Mentoring Induction/ Meet Your Mentor or Study Skills, as well as smaller scale events in your department and meet-ups with your Mentees (including virtual events). For more information please see the FAQs for Peer Mentors or email peermentoring@le.ac.uk.

5. Transferable skills

Through been a Peer Mentor you will gain a number of transferable skills. These could include: problem solving, peer support and interpersonal skills. Since the contact you will have with your Mentees will be through emails, it is really important that you hone your communication skills; this could include making yourself aware of equality and diversity issues, or the role that is played in safeguarding for yourself and your Mentees.

6. That warm, fuzzy feeling you'll get from supporting First Year students

The main reason for the existence of the Peer Mentoring Scheme is to support first year students, to make that transition to University life a little bit easier. We hope that all of you will be great examples for your Mentees and someone they can trust to guide them when they face challenges. Hopefully, you will also gain a friend from it!

If that's not enough, see what previous Mentors have said about the scheme:

“Being a peer mentor really made me feel like I was making a difference for my mentees, they could approach me with questions or problems during the often challenging first term. I also learnt some useful skills relating to being a mentor, such as problem solving, peer support, and interpersonal skills, which I feel are transferable to any place of work or study.”

Anna, Biology Peer Mentor

 

“Knowing I was being able to help and advise others whilst gaining transferable skills for myself. I wish I had this in first year as I was very lost and unware of the opportunities available to me at the time.”

Peer Mentor 

 

“I volunteer at Leicestershire Citizen’s Advice and saw one of my mentees there… she thanked me and said it made a difference so it was gratifying to know this.”

Peer Mentor 

 

“Being a mentor is a great opportunity to serve the community and make a difference in the life of new students. Sometimes, they have issues and just need someone to talk to. I will definitively recommend this to other friends of mine.”

Patrick, Law Peer Mentor