Get support from a mentor/buddy (Peer Connector)

Peer Connections buddy/mentoring groups help you get started at the University of Dundee. You can meet, exchange ideas, and socialise with other new students whilst getting support from experienced students.

Each mentor group consists of around 12-15 new students and meets once a week for six weeks - when they start varies from academic school but most commence during week one of the first semester. At the end of these sessions there will be the opportunity to keep in contact with your mentors by email.

The meetings last for about one hour and advertised to new students in advance. They take place outside of class time. Buddy groups are facilitated by two to three trained, experienced student volunteers called Peer Connectors.

Currently not all academic schools operate Peer Connections groups. If you would like to find out about a group for your academic school please contact Peer Connections.

Not started University yet?

Peer Connectors can also be put in touch with you before you even arrive here.

Identifying Peer Connectors

On campus

You can identify Peer Connectors during Welcome and at other events wearing their Peer Connections t-shirts or badges. 

Disabled students are welcome to get in touch with Peer Connections before they arrive for Welcome and let us know in advance what assistance you need.

Student residences

Teams of Peer Connectors visit the University's student residences on a regular basis and can be contacted through the Student Support Worker or Student Support Assistants.

To contact the Peer Connectors for your University residence email Peer Connections with your name, room/flat number and the name of your residence.

Peer Connectors do not visit private accommodation, but they do support all students regardless of where they live.

Peer Connections policy

You can expect us to:

• Give you the most up-to-date information about Peer Connections.
• Give you access to the Peer Connections Co-ordinator.
• Put you in touch with a suitable group of Peer Connections volunteers (Peer Connectors), and offer guidance and support (from Student Services staff and especially the Peer Connections Co-ordinator).
• Treat you equally and without discrimination.
• Keep your personal records confidential.
• Consider your safety when we connect you and offer protection, within what is reasonable and practicable, against any identifiable risks.
• Send you information about policies and guidelines regarding Peer Connections.

We expect you to:

• Register with Peer Connections as required.
• Inform the Peer Connections Co-ordinator of any changes to your registration details.
• Inform the Peer Connections Co-ordinator of any problems/issues that arise.
• Inform the Peer Connections Co-ordinator if you wish to withdraw from Peer Connections.
• Respect the opinions, attitudes and life style choices of other students even if you do not agree with them.
• Respect your Peer Connectors, treating them, as you would wish to be treated yourself.
• Respect the personal, private time of volunteers.
• Take every reasonable care, in terms of safety, whilst involved with Peer Connections.
• Share your skills and experience.

Confidentiality

Your personal information is kept by Peer Connections for statistical and monitoring purposes and no individuals are identified. Only your name and University email address is passed onto your Peer Connections Partners, any other information that you choose to disclose is at your own discretion.

If you disclose any further information to members of the Peer Connections team, this may be (in order to fully support you) shared, in confidence, within the team.

All disclosures are kept confidential within Peer Connections and no information will be passed to third parties without your consent unless there are very exceptional circumstances. For example, if we believe that serious harm might occur to you or other people. Wherever possible we would try to contact you to discuss things and to make you aware of what is happening before breaking confidentiality.