Our Access Statement: what can you expect from us?

If you attend our peer support sessions, we’d like you to know that you can leave at any time. What’s more, you do not have to have your camera or microphone on, and you may instead make use of the chat function.

What can you expect if you participate in peer support sessions?

The peer support sessions are aimed at undergraduate and post-graduate students at the University of Exeter who are experiencing well-being related concerns. This may be anything ranging from mental health difficulties, to work related stress and more.

The peer support sessions are not equipped to manage mental health crises, so if you are experiencing a mental health crisis we may have to signpost you elsewhere. For more information about this, see our resources document linked below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Th8EZUX2SO_r5yD2_HMjFHYL27gGfW7cuctTlQQyCFc/edit?fbclid=IwAR2H8TnaAP2qi0VJUoq-maYy4Xduw1HGouY1lLDYweV1bMRB8tX8QkCIYzA

The peer support sessions run between 7-8pm every Tuesday during term time. The structure of the sessions is as follows:

1. Introduction: we have an initial conversation to welcome everyone to the group, iron out any technical issues and introduce any new facilitators or attendees.

2. Ground Rules: we briefly reiterate the ground rules of the peer support sessions such as confidentiality, and attendees have the opportunity to add their own.

3. Check-In activity: this is a short, warm up activity designed to set a positive tone for the session. For example, each person shares something that they enjoyed this week.

4. Remaining activities: we usually complete 2 or 3 main activities, which vary between weeks. These activities are usually accompanied by an interactive presentation, and generally involve the discussion of one or more open questions relating to this week’s topic. Usually, we take turns to speak.

5. Check-Out activity: this is a short, cool-down activity designed to give a positive transition out of the session. For example, each person shares something that they are looking forward to next week.

Each session is run by two or more trained facilitators. The role of the facilitator is to generate topics for conversation, manage activities and signpost attendees where necessary. Before each session, we will publicise the names of the facilitators who will be present for that session.

Instructions for how to use Zoom:

During the Coronavirus pandemic, The Team will be conducting sessions using Zoom. The following is a guide for how to do this.

It may be useful for you to download the Zoom app on your computer or phone prior to the session, but this is not essential.

The Zoom link and passcode will be posted on social media prior to the session, you will need to use these details to join the meeting.

Once you have joined, you may turn on your camera and microphone, or you may make use of the chat function.

Further accessibility related considerations:

We do not believe that there are any more accessibility related considerations relevant to our peer support sessions. However, we’d love to hear your ideas about this. If you have any comments, feedback or suggestions that you’d like to share with us, please send us a message or complete our feedback form linked below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10BDk8JWYoX6-5U-SCJqCNDaZR-k_fxo5As0JmE-gJAs/edit