SERC launch student mentoring programme

On Tuesday 14 November SERCs Students’ Union launched their brand-new student mentoring programme which offers free, confidential wellbeing support.  

Students, who have volunteered to act as mentors, gathered at SERC’s SPACE campus in Bangor to celebrate the official launch which was a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the service.  

SERC, though their partnership with the NSPCC, launched the mentoring programme which will focus on emotional health and wellbeing support. The programme offers free, one-to-one support to anyone aged 16-17 years of age at SERC’s Bangor and Lisburn Campuses.

The service will run on an open-door drop-in service.

The service has been spearheaded at SERCs Students’ Union thanks to help, advice and guidance from the NSPCC, who shared their expertise and trained the students in mentorship.  

Student Affairs Officer Sonya Nelson said “This exciting milestone recognises our continuing focus on looking after the welfare of all of our learners. The Service offers students the opportunity to access one-to-one confidential support on  mental and emotional wellbeing. Our pastoral care programme encourages all our students to take responsibility for their health and well-being and the mentoring will complement this.  

“With 78% of students stating that they have experienced mental health worries within the last year (NUS-USI Student Wellbeing Survey 2016), more and more students feel the need to talk to someone. We know how daunting it can be coming forward and talking to a stranger, so we decided to try to break down these barriers by offering student mentors. The Mentors, who are also mental health ambassadors, have been trained to offer a listening ear and share steps to better overall wellbeing.”  

Ineke Houtenbos NSPCC Senior Training and Development Consultant attended the launch. She said “This innovative programme is a great way of reaching out to young people in their own environment. Young people have many worries, concerns and emotional health issues such as anxiety and depression. Rather than suffer alone, we would encourage students to talk with one of the mentors.”  

Sonya opened the launch by thanking everyone who attended and gave an overview about the new programme. She said, “Student mentors are there to listen and signpost students to the relevant support services within the College where necessary and promote positive steps to personal development. The student mentor has a role of encouraging their mentee to talk about their issues in a safe environment.”  

SERC Student Mentor Carra Still from Bangor said “I am proud to support such a great scheme.  It can be difficult to know where to start when trying to deal with worries on your own. I hope to share with my mentees some insight. Many people helped me when I was feeling low and I now hope to be able to do the same.”  

For more information or to speak to a Student Mentor please email studentsunion@serc.ac.uk. The mentors also don branded hoddies. Look out for them on campus and feel free to approach them if you would like to talk.  

In addition, SERC works with a wide range of partners to ensure that the health needs of their students are met. These include Carecall, PIPS, policing community safety partnership, MYMY, ASCERT, Samaritans and others help students experiencing worries such as anxiety or depression.