Advice & Support – SU Buddies

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

SU Buddies is a student support scheme which is ran by the Students’ Union and the University of Sunderland. In the next academic year 2012/13 we are running the scheme across the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Department of Social Sciences.

The main aim of the SU Buddies is to allow existing students ‘who have been there and done that’ to help and support the new students.

SU Buddies provides a great opportunity to gain a lot of skills and experience for those who would like to become Buddies (plus a certificate to prove this). For the new students, it is the best way to get information about Sunderland and the University from someone who has gone through the same experience that they are just about to encounter.

Thank you very much to all the Biomedical Sciences, Psychology or Health & Social Care student who have applied to become SU Buddy in the 2011/12 academic year.

Buddies are volunteer undergraduate students who have undergone training to equip them for the role. They are normally matched with a small group of year 1 students from their own course. They are supporting somebody who is about to take a huge step in their student journey - but might be a bit worried about it. No one is in a better place to offer advice and support to new students. So, if you want to play an important role in making our new students transition to the University of Sunderland a great one join SU Buddies and make a difference.

The SU Buddy scheme offers a great way to gain transferable skills and learn something new - all buddies will get a certificate to prove this. This comes in very handy when applying for a job or further studies. Check out the ‘Benefits and Rewards’ section beneath.

Buddy will be:
* A friendly face for the new students
* Keen to help them “settle in”
* Willing to answer questions or direct them to the most appropriate source of advice
* Available to meet with them from time to time.

Buddy should:
* Maintain contact with the student(s) he/she will be buddying
* Offer bespoke support depending on their needs
* Be aware of limits of confidentiality
* Know that they are a “channel” and are able to direct the students they are buddying to the most appropriate body for advice.
* Be aware of the support and advice available elsewhere.
* Seek advice from departmental contacts or the mentoring scheme co-ordinator where necessary.
* Try to be punctual, keep appointments and keep promises, BUT should not promise what they can’t deliver.

Buddies are not expected to do it ‘all’ but they are expected to know where and who to refer.

For more information please check the ‘BUDDIES question and answers section’ below or drop us an e-mail: su.buddies@sunderland.ac.uk

*What exactly is expected of me?*

You will be expected to take the initiative and contact the students you are buddying, ideally, before they start at the University.

*How many students will I be buddying?*

Between 1 and 4, depending on the number of applications from new students and the number of Buddies available.

*Will they be from my department?*

Yes, and normally from the same course.

*When will I know who am I buddying?*

About the second week of September. This is the earliest it can be as places are not finally confirmed until then.

*What do I do then?*

Phone or email them to introduce yourself. They will have been sent your details so will know who you are. Tell them a bit about living in Sunderland and offer to answer their questions. It´s really up to you…think what YOU wanted to know at this stage.

*What happens next?*

Arrange to meet up with the students you are buddying during Welcome Week, if possible.

*Where should we meet?*

Most people meet up in a local cafe or somewhere in the department - Murray Library, City Space, Prospect Cafe or Reg Vardy are a good places to start. Make sure you meet in a public place at first until you get to know the students you will be buddying.

*How many times will we meet?*

It´s up to you. It´s good to have meetings in a group if you can arrange it, or even to meet up with another Buddy and students that he/she is buddying. That way, the new students get more opportunities to meet others on their course.

*Am I expected to become a real friend for the students I am buddying?*

No. The relationship is a semi-professional one. You might not get on that well on a personal basis but can still maintain the Buddying role. However, many Buddy-new student pairings have led to firm enduring friendships being made.

*This sounds great. How do I get involved then?*

Unfortunately all of the applications are now closed. We will run the scheme, dependant on the success of the pilot, across most of the University of Sunderland courses from 2012/13 academic year - so if you are interested and you will still be around, check these pages in November 2011 for more information.

“Some of them seem to think a 2:1 is enough, which may be true for some companies but not for ours. They don’t understand that we’re viewing 1000s of applicant with a 2:1 and they need something extra to stand out from the crowd.”

employer

Everybody likes something extra - and employers are not different. Having a degree is in the current recruitment climate considered as a must and more and more employers want the applicants to have additional experience and skills. Schemes like SU Buddies are offering a perfect opportunity for gaining ‘transferable skills’ - to get that extra that might make a huge difference for you in the future.

Every Buddy will undertake a 2 hour training session which will equip him/her for their role.
Also they will receive a ‘Certificate of Achievement’ from the University Careers and Employability Service.
Apart from this, there will be lots of fun and meeting new people!

If you are interested in getting involved in ‘SU Buddies’ and have questions or if you are currently a Buddy or a new student and need to get in touch then contact Adam and Simon on 0191 515 3582 or at

email : su.buddies@sunderland.ac.uk

You can also visit us in our offices.

City Campus - Students’ Union in Edinburgh Building (ground floor)
St Peter’s - Students’ Union in Wearbank House (next to North Shore)

A copy is available for you to download.  You can find the file under the ‘downloads’ section at the bottom of this webpage.

If S.U. Buddies sounds like something you want to get involved with, and you would like to become a buddy for the next academic year Click Here