General Support

University can sometimes be a stressful and difficult time. It is important you know where to turn to if you need additional support.

You can find information regarding a range of support here: https://www.leicesterunion.com/support/

If you would like more specific and detailed information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the SU Advice Service: https://www.leicesterunion.com/support/adviceservice/getintouch/

If you feel you might be in crisis, please contact Samaritans.

Mentee

What happens next when I signed up to the new software?

The new software should be ready to launch with our next cohort of students. It will allow for better communication and engagement between mentor and mentees.

Using your university email address, you will sign in and answer some basic questions. There will be some optional liberation questions which can be used to match to a mentor will a similar identity. You will be shown mentor(s) which best match your requirements and then you can select your mentor.

There is no obligation to answer these questions. Your academic department will be prioritised before these characteristics to ensure your mentors will be in the same department as you.

The platform also allows mentors and mentees to communicate with each other.

Do I have to engage with the scheme?

The Peer Mentoring Team encourages all new students to sign up to the scheme to offer support during their transitional period. However, ultimately it is your choice to join the scheme.

There is no obligation to reply to your mentors, however often mentors have put in significant effort in providing relevant, personalised information and they want to hear about your experiences!

I signed up to the scheme, but I’ve now changed my mind.

We encourage new students to stay signed up to the scheme as there may be information that you found helpful in the future. However, please contact the Peer Mentoring Team if you still want to be removed.

What do I do if my mentor has not reached or responding to my messages?

Although this is uncommon, mentors may need to prioritise other areas over peer mentoring. If your mentor has not reached out, please get in touch with the Peer Mentoring Team so we can investigate appropriately.

What support can I receive from my mentor?

Your Mentor is there is provide guidance and signposting when you need it. They should be someone you can trust to direct you to a useful service, or answer any general questions you have about the University or your course.

However, please be mindful that they are students too. If you have serious concerns/worries, please refer yourself directly to the appropriate support services.

Can I meet my mentor in person?

We encourage all mentors and mentees to meet in-person at least once. The Peer Mentoring Team host an event at the SU as one potential opportunity.

Mentors

Who are my mentees?

When the new software, you will be notified once new students have selected you as their mentor.

Can I speak to my mentees outside of the scheme?

The new software should provide an easier way to communicate from mentor to mentee. However, it is up to you and your mentee to give consent for sharing additional contact details. For example, if they add you on Instagram, it is at your discretion whether you wish to accept or not.

However, do remember that core communication must be done via the new software in order for the Peer Mentoring Team to track engagement towards your accreditation.

Can I be a mentor if I am an alumni?

Unfortunately, we do have the resources to expand to alumni. We would happy to direct you to other similar schemes which may benefit you.

Can I step down as a Mentor?

We understand that sometimes students have to step down as a mentor. Please reach out to the Peer Mentoring Team to discuss your concerns.

We will usually have a discussion to see whether we can support you to get back on track, but ultimately it is possible to step down from the role of Peer Mentor.

How do I achieve the accreditations?

The Peer Mentoring Team will post the accreditation guide in the handbook on Blackboard. We would encourage you to keep a checklist of what you have completed to ensure you are on track to achieve the accreditation you are aiming for.

How many volunteering hours can I log with my Peer Mentoring commitment?

Peer Mentors can log their volunteering hours on the Students’ Union Volunteering Portal.

If you complete the Peer Mentoring Training, you can log 2 hours.

For every check-in completed (4 in total), you can log an additional hour.

If you organise and attend the SU Meet Your Mentor event (or an independently run one), you can log 1 hour.

If you organise and attend an additional event for your mentees, you can log 1 hour.