Peer Mentors celebrated with new Mentor Recognition Prize
The Peer Mentor Team are delighted to congratulate Alex Megahy and Aisling Jenkin who have been awarded a new Mentor Recognition Prize for their outstanding guidance and support to their mentees this year, as nominated by their mentees.
Alex Megahy, Year 2 Student Doctor was nominated for his great advice, checking in with his mentees to make sure they were OK and regularly giving tips and tricks on how to navigate difficult blocks.
Aisling Jenkin, Year 2 Student Doctor was nominated for being a wonderful and inspiring mentor, who was approachable, friendly, and genuine. She provided much-needed moral support and tips for last-minute revision.
Dr James Young (link), MBChB Clinical Teacher and Peer Mentor Lead and Hannah Thomas, Peer Mentor Administration Lead were thrilled to present them with a School of Medicine Certificate along with vouchers to recognise their contribution. Dr Young commented, “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. 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 in something you have a unique and shared experience with our new Year 1 students.”
Dr Young and the Peer Mentor Team have been keen to develop the Network over the last year, offering new training courses for the Mentors ranging from a ‘Look After Your Mate’ Workshop focusing on practical tips for supporting a friend/mentee as well as a Development Event which included bystander awareness, mental health first air principles and how to support students academically. These training events have given Mentors the chance to develop their skills to support their mentees and help them with patients and colleagues in their future careers.
The success of the Peer Mentor Network (link) has been demonstrated by the very high numbers of Year 1 Year Student Doctors who have applied to be mentors to the next cohort of Medical Students in September. Indeed, one Mentee commented in their nomination that their experience of first year has been enriched by having a peer mentor and has inspired them to apply to be a peer mentor too. This enthusiasm can only illustrate the excellent commitment of the Mentors to their Mentees this year.
Sign up to be a Peer Mentor for the 2024-25 academic year by visiting the Peer Mentor webpage (link).