Peers ready to lend an ear to troubled pupils

WHEN young people are being bullied at school or struggling with their homework, it can be hard for them to know where to turn.

At Isca College of Media Arts in Exeter, there are 15 peer mentors, whose job is to provide a listening ear to pupils who need it.

The youngsters, who are mainly from Year 7 to Year 10, are given weekly training sessions on everything from first aid to bullying awareness.

The mentoring scheme is co-ordinated by teaching assistant Paul Herbert. He said: "For some of our mentors, it's also a self-help programme. Some are slightly under confident and have issues with themselves. We turn that around and they become more confident, well-rounded young people."

To help other pupils recognise who the mentors are, their photographs are on the school notice board. Pupils can either approach the mentors themselves or a teacher may recommend that they speak to a peer mentor. And, if a mentor sees a pupil with a problem, they are encouraged to approach them and ask if they want help.

The school is also relaunching its buddy scheme, where mentors are given a place to stand at break time and lunchtime if pupils have an issue they want to discuss.

Once they are aware of the problem, the peer mentor decides what to do and who to speak to about it.

Paul said: "We are probably going to start using peer mentors within our after-school homework club — or study club as it is called."

To become peer mentors, pupils have to fill out an application before being shortlisted for interview by the other mentors.

Paul decides how many mentors are needed and the mentors decide who to choose.

"By the end of the process they realise it is one of the hardest things they ever get to do," said Paul. "They are going to make someone very happy or upset someone. But that's life — it's a learning process."

The mentors all have different personalities — while some are loud and extroverted, others are quieter — but they are all chosen because they are caring and enjoy helping others.

Paul said: "Other schools have contacted us to start programmes — they want to know about peer mentoring.

"We get invited to be involved with other schools in the community. Our mentors enjoy helping out and being seen as young ambassadors for the school."

One of the mentors is Paul's daughter, Alex Herbert, 14. She said: "I enjoy helping others and I think it's helped me quite a bit. It has helped my confidence and it looks really good on your record of achievement.

"I have a couple of friends who have left who have done really well outside school because they have been peer mentors.

"I enjoy seeing other people happy. If we ever come across a problem, we can easily help out. I have had to help a few people with homework and bullying problems."

Rachel Hunter, 13, said: "Quite often, we go out to different schools. We worked on a project with Southbrook College. It was very rewarding being able to do that. We met different people from different backgrounds.

"I like the training. I am with my friends and we are all learning skills that are really handy for later on in life. We basically have to listen to people. That's sometimes all they need — someone to listen to them.

"It's good for your CV. It helps you with skills, especially first aid. It's really handy and I am really excited about doing it."

Hattie Jungald, 13, said: "It is rewarding to help people. It's a really good feeling. We're like a family. Everyone's really close."

She added: "We once found a woman crying in a bush. We made sure she was okay. It gives you confidence because you know what to do."

Jess Haygarth, 13, said: "I enjoy helping people. I liked it when the new Year 7s came in and we showed them around. I liked being part of that.

"I remember I was really nervous when I started school — it makes them feel as if they have someone to speak to."

Every year, the mentors go to the Pixies' Holt residential centre on Dartmoor, where they take part in peer-mentoring workshops and team-building activities.

Joe Tyler, 14, who has been a peer mentor since he was in Year 7, found out about the scheme when he went on the residential as a pupil at Topsham School.

Joe decided he would like to be a peer mentor because he was bullied at primary school. He said: "It's a really good idea if there is somebody to turn to."

He added: "I have helped a guy with autism who found it hard to fit in and make friends. Now he has.

"It's a nice feeling to know you have helped somebody out. It could be anything. It could be they have lost their dinner money and just want somebody to listen. That's why we're there. I enjoy seeing the change and seeing we have made a difference."