Paula asked me to forward this to the list:

Hello all,
Good to see I am not the only one who is unsure about the term,I
thought it might be because I am relatively new but maybe not.  I
think
my understanding of study buddy was closer to that of the informal
more
student level of support whereas a mentor is the more professional
level.   I agree that both need good levels of support and training.
I'm also interested in what typed of support other universities are
offering to students with mental health difficulties.

Thanks
Paula
On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 15:14:31 -0000 David Laycock
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> > David,
> > >From your reply I am unclear on the function of the study buddy if you
> > require them to have counselling training.  Maybe it is my lack of
> > understanding of the role of a study buddy but I thought they were more
> > concerned with academic support than with providing the emotional and
> > therapeutic support associated with counselling.  Could you explain
> > what the role involves more clearly for me please as this will help me
> > to make sense of the issues around supervision and rates of pay.
> > Thanks
> > Paula
>
> Hi Paula
>
> I admit I jumped to conclusions. The term buddy, as I have seen it
> used, applies to students with mental health conditions and, at its
> crudest, amounts to keeping the student focused and positive- as far
> as possible- about themselves and their studies. If 'academic buddy'
> has a closer link to actual study support then I'd be less sure the DSAs
> were an appropriate funding source.
>
> Helping students who may, for one reason or other, lack confidence
> from time to time, can be tricky. Professional counsellors I've
> discussed this with say it may be very appealing to sense that we are
> making a big difference but the student can end up becoming more
> dependent on us than is desirable. Which is why I think the university I
> spoke about decided to avoid such risks by using fairly well qualified
> people.
>
> This may not always be possible, but I would hope some training would
> be available along these lines.
>
> Can you describe what you mean by the term buddy? Or anyone else.
> I admit to pretty limited experience on the subject.
>
> Dave Laycock
>
> Head of CCPD
> Chair of NADO
> Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
> University of Westminster
> 72 Great Portland Street
> London W1N 5AL
>
> tel. 020 7911-5161
> fax. 020 7911-5162
> WWW home page: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/
>

----------------------------------------
Paula L Harrison
Disabilities Co-ordinator
Email: [log in to unmask]
University of Hull

------- End of forwarded message -------Dave Laycock

Head of CCPD
Chair of NADO
Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
University of Westminster
72 Great Portland Street
London W1N 5AL

tel. 020 7911-5161
fax. 020 7911-5162
WWW home page: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/