If you want to learn how to manage your wellbeing, then this is the perfect space for you! Our Students’ Union Peer Support Network is an opportunity for students to come together to provide mutual support, share their experiences and learn more about themselves. The network aims to create a safe and confidential environment where students feel supported and heard.
So how will it work?
The Peer Support Network will be running twice in the academic year as a workshop made up of six sessions. Both workshops will have a theme, for example, how to ‘manage your low moods’ and will be led by two of our Students’ Union Rafiki peer support student staff. Over the six sessions, you will have the opportunity to actively listen, confide and learn how to manage your wellbeing. The workshop will consist of:
- Group discussions
- Sessions focused on mental health
- Resource sharing, including mental health services and other support systems
- Peer support
Please be aware that the support provided will be non – clinical and based on personal experiences. This network complements but does not replace professional mental health services.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SU Peer Support network will be held as a six-session workshop, one running in Term 1 and another in Term 2. There will be a main focus during these sessions, for example, ‘managing your anxiety’. These sessions will be led by 2 of our SU Rafiki peer support student staff members who will be trained to be able to deliver these sessions. The students who have been given a place on the workshop will be added to a group chat to allow them to get to know each other a bit before the first session. Each participant will have an entry survey and an exit survey to allow us to measure impact. These sessions will be once a week, being held on campus and virtually alternately.
Do I have to attend each of the six sessions?
Ideally yes. This workshop has been created so that you are learning something new at each session that will help you learn to manage your wellbeing. However, we know that life can be unexpected, and you may have to miss a session but please be aware that there will not be an opportunity to repeat a missed session due to the availability of our student staff.
Anyone! As long as you are a current student at the University of Salford, you will be given the opportunity to join the network no matter whether you are an undergraduate student or a postgraduate student. However, because we want each student attending to feel comfortable to talk about their experiences, the maximum number of students that will be given a place on each workshop is 8.
Students will be sent a newsletter detailing what the SU Peer Support Network is and a link to an application form. Alternatively, you can apply via our Salford SU website. The application form is so we can understand a bit about you and why you want to join the network, so please be honest!
How will I know that I’ve been given a place?
You will receive an email welcoming you onto the network and a link to join your term WhatsApp group chat!
What if I don’t get a place?
Don’t worry! We will be running two workshops per academic year, one in term 1 and another in term 2. If you don’t get a place on the term 1 sessions, then you will be placed on a waiting list for term 2. If you don’t get a place on either of these, our SU Rafiki peer support service runs wellbeing activities throughout the year which is open to any Salford university student to attend. The wellbeing activities are a great place to meet new people and de-stress. Or if you would just like a space to talk to someone, you can self-refer into our SU Rafiki peer support service for an in-person chat or a phone call.
Is the SU Peer Support Network a safe space?
Yes! We want all our students attending to feel comfortable enough to share their experiences, which is why all attendees will have to accept a confidentiality agreement before starting. But don’t worry if you don’t feel comfortable sharing at first, there is no pressure to disclose anything you don’t want to. You may feel comfortable just listening and that’s perfectly okay, this space is for you to be able to learn from each other as well as yourselves.