13 October 2009

University´s support services unite to help students

A major collaboration between two of the University of Sheffield´s support services was officially launched on Friday (Friday 9 October 2009), as part of a bid to help students cope better with the demands of University life.

The new partnership links-up the Disability and Dyslexia Support Services´ Support and Guidance Mentoring and the University Counselling Services´ 'Skills for Life' programme under one roof at the newly refurbished `Skills for Life´ building on Glossop Road.

This collaboration is the latest result of partnership working between the services within the University´s Student Mental Health Strategy, with the aim of creating better, more integrated services for students. It also forms part of a broader effort within the University to support students in developing academic and life skills.

The mentoring scheme was first established in 2006 after staff at the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service noticed an increasing demand from students with mental health difficulties. As a result, the service introduced the new role of Support and Guidance Mentor, in order to ensure students were able to progress through their academic journey. This role was later expanded to provide support for students with Aspergers Syndrome and medical conditions that can cause difficulties in a student´s university life.

The mentors offer individual support for students to help them manage their academic work by providing assistance in developing organisation skills, managing their workload and maintaining their focus on academic progress. This work is fundamental to the student´s academic progression and has resulted in many students either not taking a period of leave of absence or not withdrawing from their course.

Similarly, the 'Skills for Life' programme is a series of groups and workshops run by the University Counselling Service to help students cope better with the demands of University life. Many of the workshops are run on a drop-in basis, and students can join longer term groups after discussion with a counsellor. Both workshops and groups attract students from all walks of University life - with the workshops being particularly popular with international students.

The programme places emphasis on the importance of peer support and is designed to help students develop academic skills to transfer into their working life, develop interpersonal and communications skills that promote good friendships and relationships as well as learning healthy lifestyles that promote health and well-being.

Kate Tindle, Head of the University Counselling Service, said: "I am delighted that the ongoing partnership between the Counselling Service and the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service has come to fruition in this way: a shared space in which each service can offer specific and appropriate help, whilst working together in our shared aim of supporting students.

"Our `Skills for Life´ staff Steve Delaney and Alison Cox have already mapped out an imaginative and comprehensive timetable of events for the year, and they will be looking forward to welcoming students to the new building."

Claire Shanks, Disability Coordinator for the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service, said: "This collaboration between the two services provides a holistic approach in supporting students' well-being and academic progress, embracing different support resources. It will also strengthen collaboration between the two services, providing an opportunity for inter-departmental working as well as enhancing service delivery."

Notes for Editors: For more information on the `Skills for Life´ programme, visit the link below.

For more information on the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service, visit the link below.

For further information please contact: Shemina Davis, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2225339 or email shemina.davis@sheffield.ac.uk

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