Buddy Scheme Volunteers Handbook 2013-14

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Buddy SchemeVolunteers Handbook

2013 — 2014

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This Handbook provides all of the information you will need whilst participating in the Buddy Scheme within the Students' Union.

Contents

Introduction

Buddy Scheme contacts

The Buddy Scheme

Buddy Scheme definitions

You are a Sussex Buddy

Your role

Buddies Events

Signposting info

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Introduction

Welcome and thank you for volunteering to be a Buddy.

As a Buddy you will help new students from many backgrounds adjust to life at the University of Sussex. We believe that providing peer support to new students before their arrival and in their first month is crucial to a quality student experience. Your role will be to use your knowledge and experience of life at the University of Sussex to support them and help them settle in and get more involved in the Sussex community.

As students of the University of Sussex you are full of great tips and information for new students, but we don’t expect you to know everything! This handbook is designed to help you out. It contains contacts, pieces of advice and support so that you can help aid a smooth transition for the incoming students.

We are here to help you in any way that we can, so please feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas. We are really glad that you have chosen to be a Buddy and hope that you enjoy your experience.

Buddy Scheme contactsNatalie Sacks Advice and Representation Centre Coordinator

I am coordinating the Buddy Scheme this year. You can find me at the Advice and Representation Centre on the first floor of Falmer House. Contact me with any problems you are having as a Buddy.

e: [email protected] or [email protected] t: 01273 87 2936

Union Volunteering If you have any complaints or want to get involved in other volunteering opportunities get in touch with these guys.

e: [email protected] t: 01273 87 3387

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The Buddy Scheme will:

• Help new students with their transition into University life.

• Improve student interaction and the flow of communication.

• Increase the access of practical information to new students.

• Give students the opportunity to meet other students from different backgrounds.

• Provide current and new students with sharing and learning partnerships.

• Give tips and ideas on how to make the most of the University of Sussex and Brighton.

• Help students make the most out of social opportunities run by the Students' Union.

The Buddy Scheme

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The Buddy Scheme

Sussex Buddies

are current students who have volunteered to be paired with a new student. You will be expected to make email contact with your buddy as soon as you have been paired and to meet with them on a regular basis to provide peer support and help them settle into life at University.

Welcome Buddies

are current students who have volunteered to attend Buddy Scheme and Student’s Union events throughout the year. You will be the friendly face of the Union and aid interaction between students, making sure that people make the most out of their events.

Buddies

are new students to the University who have signed up to be paired with a Sussex Buddy and to attend Buddy Scheme and Student’s Union events. UK, International, Postgraduate, mature students - anyone who’s new to Sussex and wants to get involved in the scheme for support and socialising.

Buddy Scheme definitions:

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You are a Sussex Buddy

This is an informal scheme so we only require you to commit to training and 1 hour a week. We recommend that you meet weekly for the first month. The buddy scheme will be organising events each month for all Buddies and you are welcome to come with your Buddies or on your own to meet others. It’s a great opportunity to get to know others in the scheme on a regular basis.

You don’t need to know everything. You are full of great tips and information for new students, but we don’t expect you to know everything. If you have any questions you can always contact the scheme coordinator at [email protected] and refer people onto services that can help them. You are there to be a friendly face not an info hub.

We try our best to match you based on the profile you created, but no promises! All Buddies are matched based on the information listed in your completed profile so the more you fill out your profile, the better. We try our best to match you based on the listed criteria, but we can't always accommodate everyone's requests. Sussex Buddies may be matched with more than one new Buddy, depending on your preference.

TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION Anyone who provides immigration advice in the UK must be fully trained and authorised to do so. Only staff in the International Office are able to provide specialist immigration advice in areas of the immigration system such as student visas, working in the UK during and after your studies, settlement and getting married in the UK.

Tel: 01273 678422 or email [email protected]

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Your role

What we expect of you

• Welcome your Buddies to the University of Sussex.

• Signpost any services they may require and ask us if you’re not sure.

• Offer support and encouragement

• Help them find activities they may be interested in, such as Union sports and societies

• Respect confidentiality, unless you feel that your buddy is at risk to themselves or others.

What we don't expect of you

• To pick up your Buddy from the airport!!

• Become best friends (but you might!)

• Solve their personal/social problems

• Put yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable

• Proofread their work

• Be ‘on call’

• Offer money, skills, or an uncomfortable amount of time

• Advice on accommodation, immigration, careers, academic etc. The Student Life Centre, Advice and Representation and International Office are here for that. Their contact details can be found at the end of the handbook.

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Buddies Events

There are a number of events organised throughout the term. These will continue throughout the year. These events will be hosted by the Welcome Buddies and are a great way to meet new people and do something a little bit different. You can come to these with your buddies, or independently with friends. Some are subject to change. Keep up to date via the website http://www.sussexstudent.com/buddyscheme

Language Cafe

This year we are introducing the Language Cafe which helps those who want to learn a language in an informal, sociable setting. It will consist of fortnightly meetings where students can find peer-based support to enhance language learning. You can go to practice the languages you already know. Students will be paired up with others wanting to learn the same language at the Buddy Scheme Launch Event. Why not take your buddy to the Language Cafe if you are both interested in language learning?

September

17th - Buddy Scheme Launch Event 18th - Barn Dance

24th - Language Cafe

29th - International Student Reception

October

4th - Buddy Scheme film night

8th - Language Cafe

10th - Bring an international food dish

16th - Buddy Scheme afternoon walk

22nd - Language Cafe

31st - Halloween event

November

5th - Bonfire Night

15th - Buddy Scheme finale event

18th – 27th Feedback and evaluation week - we will probably have a team meeting sometime this week.

20th - Volunteer social

December

5th - Language Cafe

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Signposting info

Services offered on campus

Students' Union services:

Advice and Representation Centre

Provide free, independent, confidential advice and representation on certain practical issues including funding concerns, complaints against the University, appeals and housing problems.

• They offer a tenancy contract checking service

• We give talks to students (e.g. on living in the private rented sector).

• We inform & support Student Union campaigns (by providing statistical evidence, case studies etc).

• We produce various publications and guides, and maintain an advice website.

Website: www.sussexstudent.com/advice

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01273 877038

Where to find them: First Floor of Falmer House through the Common Room

University services:

Student Life Centre

Can sign post to all other relevant student services on campus, so are a good first point of contact for any student issue.

• They give information for all internal University processes such as fee payment and mitigating evidence

• Run the C-card scheme (which entitles people to free condoms) and offer sexual

health advice and information.

• Issue student bursaries and scholarships

• Drug and alcohol drop in session

• Deal with student wellbeing eg. homesickness

Websi te :h t tp: //w w w.sussex.ac.uk /studentlifecentre/


Phone: 01273 876767

Where to find them: Chichester 1

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University services continued:

Student Accounts

If you have any queries about undergraduate, postgraduate or study abroad fees these are the people to talk to. They can also explain how to pay any fees or charges you might get such as library fines.

Websi te :h t tp: //w w w.sussex.ac.uk /f i n a n c e /s e r v i c e s / f e e s a n d i n c o m e /studentaccounts


Phone: 0800 849 4979

Where to find them: Sussex House

Housing Office

Deal with University managed accommodation both on and off campus. You can send a student there in the first instance if they have any problems with their University managed accommodation.

Websi te :h t tp: //w w w.sussex.ac.uk /residentialservices/


Phone: 01273 678220

Where to find them: Bramber House

Student Support Unit

Offer support to any student who has a disability. They offer tests for anyone who is not sure if they have a learning disability, such as dyslexia.

They also run study skills session on things like essay writing, note taking, revision etc.

Websi te :h t tp: //w w w.sussex.ac.uk /studentsupport/


Phone: 01273 877466

Where to find them: Pevensey 1

Psychological & Counselling Services

Offer free counselling sessions to any student who needs them.

Websi te :h t tp: //w w w.sussex.ac.uk /counselling/


Phone: 01273 678156

Where to find them: Health Centre

International & Study Abroad Office

Deal with specific issues that international students might have, such as immigration status and visas. They also put on lots of good events and trips for international students. Additionally they are the place to send people who are thinking of taking a study abroad option.

Websi te :h t tp: //w w w.sussex.ac.uk /international

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Phone: 01273 678422

Where to find them: Friston building

Careers and Employability Centre

Help students with their CVs and finding employment after they graduate. They run sessions on how to make yourself more employable and have information about jobs available for students while they study.

Website: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/


Phone: 01273 678429

Where to find them: Ground floor of the Library

Student Mentors

Student Mentors offer academic peer support for your course. They can help you plan essays and often give workshops on study skills, and revision techniques.

To find out about Student Mentors go to the website: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre/academic/mentors

Co-run by the Students’ Union and University:

Student Reps

Your school or subject will have a Student Rep who you can inform of any issues you have with your course or module. Student Reps provide an essential link between students, the Union and the University. Student Reps are Undergraduate and Postgraduate students elected by Sussex students to represent the views and interests of students in their subject, department or school year.

Reps find out about issues impacting on

student’s studies and experience, and either take this information informally to individual members of staff in the department or can raise issues more formally at department, school, and University level committees in order to effect positive changes.

To find your Student Rep and contact them go to: http://www.sussexstudent.com/studentreps/content/738073/contact_your_student_rep/?utm_source=repssite&utm_m e d i u m = i n t e r n a l & u t m _campaign=aboutusbox

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www.sussexstudent.com/buddyscheme

Documents

Buddy Scheme Volunteers Handbook 2013-14