Non Medical Helper Roles

A Non-Medical Helper is the human support provided to students to enable you to access your studies effectively. There is a wide range of specialist roles which include:

Specialist Study Skills and Strategy Support Tutor 

A specialist study skills and strategy support tutor supports students with specific learning differences (SpLDs) or autism.  The tutor helps to build study skills and develop learning strategies needed to be a successful independant learner when studying in a higher education setting. For example, they might work with you on:

Exam revision

Research and effective reading  

Organisation and time management 

Academic writing

Memory techniques

Referencing

Proofreading and editing skills
A study skills tutor will not provide subject specific support or proofread your work for you.

 

Specialist Mentor 

Specialist mentor support is for students diagnosed with autism or mental health difficulties.  The mentor helps students to become more independent learners. For example, they might work with you on:

Coping with anxiety and stressful situations

Managing change and difficult emotions

Building confidence

Time management and prioritising your workload

Creating a suitable work-life balance

Helping with communication and social skills

A mentor will not offer subject-specific support or advocate for you.

 

Other Support Workers

include the following roles (but not limited to):

Laboratory Assistant:  to provide practical assistance within a laboratory setting

Examination Reader/Scribe: support during written exams, either reading text aloud and/or writing down, word for word, the student's answers to exam questions

Transitional Support Worker: help to navigate the transition from school/college to University study during the first the few weeks

Study Assistant: includes a variety of roles such as assisting in finding appropriate solutions for queries and problems and to help reduce anxiety levels, library assistants, practical assistants and orientation around campus

Sighted Guide: To provide one-to-one mobility assistance to a student with a visual impairment helping them to navigate their way around campus.

BSL Interpreter: Specialist communication support provided by a qualified British sign language interpreter

Manual Note taker: To produce a manual, legible and accurate set of notes from a student's lectures   

 

Working with a Non Medical Helper can contribute positively to your overall support experience whilst studying at the University.

The university works with an external company called Barry Bennett Ltd who will match you with a Non Medical Helper.  Have a look at their short videos which provides an explanation of the support available from each type of helper.  

 

 

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