Peer Buddy Scheme
BSc Social Work
Welcome Student Social Workers
The peer buddy scheme provides informal support to new and current students from higher year students and alumni. The purpose of this scheme is for higher-year students (Supporting Buddies) to support new students (Supported Buddies) through the beginning of their social work journey, whether in academia or during the transition to university life. It’s a challenging but rewarding programme, and Supporting Buddies will be glad to walk this path with you.
Emma – Social Work Home Student / Student Ambassador
Michela – Alumni SW International Graduate
Testimonials
AW's Testimonial
Transferring to the University of Hertfordshire to continue my second year in Social Work was both exciting and a little overwhelming at first.
Having a buddy made such a big difference. My buddy was incredibly supportive, approachable, and
always happy to answer my questions. They took the time to guide me through the process, which made me feel welcomed and reassured.
What stood out the most was how friendly and encouraging they were. This really helped me settle in quickly and feel more confident about starting this new chapter. I felt comfortable reaching out whenever I needed advice, and their support eased my worries and made the transition much smoother.
Overall, the buddy system has been a positive experience for me, and I’m grateful for the help I received. It gave me a sense of belonging and showed me how supportive the university community can be.
TF's Testimonial
When I first became a mentor, I felt both excited and nervous. I had some experience that I could share, but I was worried about whether I’d actually be good at guiding someone. I also didn’t want my own nerves and anxieties to transfer on to my mentee, because I wanted them to feel supported and confident.
As a mentor, I always made sure to check in with my mentee beyond just talking about lectures, assignments, and university life. I felt it was important to see how they were doing personally as well, because building a good relationship goes beyond academics. At the same time, I was mindful of keeping clear boundaries, so that our conversations stayed supportive and professional while still being approachable and friendly.
As time went on, I started to relax into the role and realised that I was more capable than I thought. Being a mentor gave me the chance to share what I had learned, but also to listen and encourage my mentee in their own journey. I saw that I didn’t need to have all the answers sometimes just being there, offering reassurance, and pointing them in the right direction made a real difference.
Overall, the experience was really positive. It helped me see how much I had grown, and it built my confidence in being able to support others. Most importantly, it showed me that I enjoy helping people and that I can be a good guide when someone is finding their way
Please get in touch with Mrs Carole Galloway (Senior Lecturer / Year 1 Tutor) at c.galloway4@herts.ac.uk to find out more.