Centre for Lifelong Learning

Buddy Project

Bill SteeleEducation Guidance AdvisorUniversity of the West of Scotland

Unique geographical coverage

Buddy Project

• Origins –Session 2007/2008• Planning and Development Office revealed a

significant dip in retention of clearing students or those who made late decisions about coming to University

• A team of staff across the University got together to tackle this issue by offering ‘buddy’ support to these students

• project was co-ordinated by Centre for Lifelong Learning

Buddy Project

• Dean• 2 Associate Deans• Senior Education Guidance Advisors• Education Guidance Advisors• Lifelong Learning Co-ordinators• Administrative and clerical support staff

Centre for Lifelong Learning

Buddy ProjectRole of the Centre for Lifelong Learning• All aspects of part-time study at the

University• All aspects of access to Higher Education• Flexible delivery of University courses –

day, evening, weekend, summer and on-line. Courses are offered across the four campuses in Ayr, Dumfries, Hamilton and Paisley.

Buddy Project• funding from the First Year Student

Experience QAA Theme and now is funded from the Welcome/Welcome Back budget

• all returning students to the University were contacted by the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL)

• all new students were sent a letter offering them a chance to have a “Buddy”

Buddy Project• nearly 3000 new students were

contacted• almost 14,000 continuing students were

invited to participate as “Buddies”• 400 of the new students responded• 109 “Buddies” were recruited• 281 of the new students applied to

participate in the scheme• 239 participated in the scheme

Buddy ProjectNew students: Issues Raised• falling behind with coursework• accommodation issues• finance problems• accessing student log-in details• using student e-mail accounts• balancing work and study• coping with being away from home

Buddy Project• difficult transport links

• internet access for students living in University accommodation

• accommodation issues outwith the University

• flights home

• choosing dissertation topics

Buddy ProjectHow we got to that point

• recruit and train the buddies• engage with new students• engage with all University teaching and support units

Buddy ProjectBenefits to all participating students• improved self esteem of current students – empathetic nature of the project• increased the opportunity for new students to ask questions on a range of topics• “protected” environment• supported and sustained their learning experience

Buddy Project• Challenges• easy identification of new students• design and maintenance of recording outcomes• measuring success of project• engagement with academic staff• embedding system into Welcome/Welcome back sessions.