Peer Support in Action
Student Offering Support (SOS) at Yorkshire Martyrs School
A new initiative has been launched at Yorkshire Martyrs School, in which the Sixth form students will act as a 'listening ear' to students in need of support in lower school. A series of support/training sessions for the sixth form students involved in the scheme will be devised as a joint effort between Catholic Care and Health and Social Care at the school. Students have benefited from the support/training sessions run for one - two hours each Wednesday afternoon. The sessions focused on issues surrounding the establishment of a support scheme in school, listening skills, communication skills, empathy, issues of confidentiality in schools.
The students will consider ways of advertising the scheme, initially focusing on specific problems such as bullying. The merits of working with one year group rather than a whole school approach will be investigated.
Students will look to become actively involved in lower school tutorial sessions and will wear a small badge to aid identification and will operate on a rota system. This would mean a commitment of one morning break per week. This system would reduce the pressure on those involved and provide the opportunity for review between sessions.
The scheme is in its infancy. However the commitment and enthusiasm of students and staff is a strong indicator that the scheme will be of great benefit to the school community.
For information, contact:
Rachael
Allen,
Yorkshire
Martyrs Collegiate School,
Westgate
Hill, Tong, Bradford 13D4 6NR
or
telephone 01274681262
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