The School of Medicine’s Peer Mentor Scheme is a fantastic support network for new student doctors embarking on their MBChB journey. Our trained Peer Mentors help our newest students to find their feet, settle into the course, and ultimately thrive as a Student Doctor.
At the beginning of the academic year, new Year One student doctors are paired up with a Peer Mentor - a seasoned student who has already walked in their shoes and is able to provide support and guidance throughout their very first year. Whether advising on university life, managing deadlines or providing useful wellbeing tips, Peer Mentors help facilitate a smooth transition into the School of Medicine and are a welcoming face during students’ very first week!
Current Peer Mentor, James Evennett-Bowker, provides his mentees with invaluable insight into the course itself, life in Liverpool, and is a point of contact and support throughout the year.
It’s a great way to access support from someone who is currently still a medical student but has been through already what you’re going through. Having the interaction with people in the older years is extremely valuable and will help you all throughout your medical school career.
As part of the Year One Welcome Week, Peer Mentors meet with their mentees and take them on a guided campus tour, as well as a trip into the city centre to help students get their bearings. Peer Mentor, Meg McDonagh, says:
My aim really is to help first years settle in and to really get them to feel comfortable on campus. We point out key places and good places to go with your friends at weekends.
Peer Mentor, Lewis Trapasso, carries out a campus tour of Liverpool with first-year students.
Becoming a Peer Mentor means you’ll be part of an enthusiastic and supportive network where you can share ideas and develop strong communicative and leadership skills that will serve you in your future medical career. It is also an opportunity to share your expertise and support mentees’ professional development.
It’s quite rewarding as an older student being able to give back to the medical school and to the younger years. As a Peer Mentor, we’re in a privileged position where we’re able to guide and lead the younger students. We’re here for emotional support or that support just throughout university life generally.
- Peer Mentor, Lewis Trapasso.
The Peer Mentor Scheme is currently managed by Dr James Young, MBChB Clinical Teacher. As part of his role, he provides peer mentor training and is passionate about fostering a sense of community in which both mentors and mentees can develop:
The peer mentor scheme is a really rewarding way to give back to others within the School of Medicine community.
"From the mentors I speak to, in all year groups, it is always this aspect that they emphasise is what they enjoy most about being part of a mentor network within the School.
Getting to work alongside another mentor means you have that direct support needed, in addition to the training we provide and the extra development opportunities we are expanding for those more interested in future mentoring opportunities.
Peer Mentors receiving training from the Wellbeing Team to support their role.
Supporting others is one of the many reasons we all get into a career in Medicine, and this is just one opportunity to do that, especially when you have a unique and shared experience with our new Year One students. Your advice, guidance and support are hugely valued to our students as they navigate their first year.”
The strength of peer-to-peer support plays an integral role in fostering a supportive learning environment and enhancing student success.
Years of experience working in Medicine doesn't replace the near peer relationship that you all have as student doctors. It would be great to receive your application and I look forward to reading all the applications from our diverse student body to represent our course and our community.
- Dr James Young
Discover More
- Sign up to be a Peer Mentor for the 2024-25 academic year by visiting the Peer Mentor webpage (link).