Student Listener Applications 24/25 are open!
Student Listeners Applications 2024/25
Role summary
Student Listeners is a peer support scheme run by students for students to offer informal and confidential support to any student at the University of Winchester. Student Listeners are trained in listening and communication skills by Samaritan's trainers to ensure that they have the confidence and knowledge to offer informal support to their peers.
The scheme is supported by both the Students’ Union. All Student Listeners attend a Listening Skills and Difficult Conversations with Vulnerable People training session, run by the Samaritans. The training will take place on Wednesday the 2nd of October 2024.
Once trained, Student Listeners are encouraged to attend one drop-in supervision session a semester with the Advisor & Wellbeing Coordinator in the Students’ Union. Winchester Youth Counselling, offer a safe space for student Listeners to speak to a councillor prior to each session, and the Winchester Samaritans branch also offer in person supervision to Student Listeners.
Who are we looking for?
To apply to be a Student Listener you must be a current student (as of September 2024), we are looking for students of any year, from various backgrounds. Beyond this, you may have some of the following qualities:
- Good listening and communicating skills
- Empathetic
- Some understanding of wellbeing, and issues that may impact it
- Resilient in the face of stress
- Non-judgemental
- Open to training and not afraid to ask questions when unsure
- Ability to keep sensitive issues confidential
What’s in it for me?
As a Student Listener you will get the opportunity to train in listening and communication skills. This could prove a valuable opportunity to try this out and gain some skills if this is an area of interest for future work for you. The training is experiential and may also improve your knowledge of yourself and how you speak to others in day-to-day life! You can also gain experience in planning, facilitating and leading on peer support sessions. You will get a Samaritans training certificate.
You can also add the scheme to your Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR) upon completion of one years’ commitment.
Using your HEAR will show your future graduate employer that you have gained a range of important skills by formally recognising your achievements as a Student Listener. You can also share your HEAR with employers and universities when you apply for graduate jobs and/or further study, helping you stand out from the crowd! Please click here to find out more about the HEAR and how to register your activities.
Third year Psychology students are also encouraged to apply for the scheme, and if successful, request the Student Listener’s Wellbeing Café as their volunteering placement.
Principle duties and responsibilities
Work on a rota basis to co-facilitate and lead the student Listeners Wellbeing Café sessions with staff members from Winchester Students’ Union
Provide emotional support to students attending the Student Listeners Wellbeing Café
Signpost students to internal and external support services where appropriate
Develop and deliver psycho-educational content for the Wellbeing Café
Develop and deliver wellbeing activities for the Wellbeing Café
Support the Students’ Union with the delivery of university-wide mental health awareness initiatives such as University Mental Health Day
Attend and support at arrivals week, refreshers week and other university events in a wellbeing capacity
Promote engagement with the Student Listeners scheme
This list is non-exhaustive and other duties may be required
How to apply
Please click here to complete the application no later than Monday the 23rd of September, mid-day. Any applications received after this date cannot be considered.
Interviews for successful applications will be held Friday the 27th of September.
If you have any questions, please contact StudentListeners@winchester.ac.uk.
