Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Mind peer supporters
The university is proud to have worked with Leeds MIND over recent years in a whole range of programmes and initiatives.
As part of our involvement with them, we now have a trained pool of MIND Peer Supporters.
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What is peer support?
Peer support is about being able to speak to another Leeds Beckett University LBU colleague about issues connected with your own mental health and wellbeing. Our supporters are not counsellors, medical professionals or mental health practitioners. They are LBU colleagues who are interested in helping create a mentally healthy university through the power of supportive conversation. Having been trained by Leeds MIND, they have an understanding of some of the complexities and challenges that we all can face in looking after our mental health and wellbeing.
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How can peer support help me?
There is a whole range of different support routes to help and promote positive wellbeing across the university and this is just one of them. Some people like to access online modules; be signposted to information and resources such as our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and Wellness Action Plans (WAP) - and some people like to talk to somebody.
The power of network support or conversational support has been well documented in recent times and also well practiced through the recent covid pandemic. The old adage of a ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ may be simplistic but there is lots of evidence out there that talking about our challenges helps us face up to them and to deal with them and make us see things in a different light or form an added angle or perspective. Peer support isn’t a magic wand for taking our challenges away but the power of a good conversation with someone who cares, can listen and can understand does go a long way.
Our peer supporters won’t offer advice or tell you what to do and certainly do not judge, but they can offer signposting and help you discuss and think about things maybe from a new perspective or in a way that gives you hope and a feeling that you are not alone.
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How does it work?
We currently have a pool of 9 MIND peer supporters.
Chris McLay coordinates the scheme. If you feel comfortable dropping Chris a line first at c.mclay@leedsbeckett.ac.uk he would match you with a peer supporter. You would then arrange to meet them, either online or in person – whatever works for you best.
We normally suggest an initial chat 1-1 with them and then after that you will both set up some parameters for your ongoing talking support. Some people meet once a month for an hour, others less often and some more often. Each partnership will be different and some may last for a few weeks or others for longer. It’s all down to what works for both of you.
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No pressure
Peer support is designed to take pressure from you, not add to it. It’s informal, it’s relaxed and the clue is in the title: it’s about support. It’s about listening. It’s about empathy. It’s about not feeling alone.
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Confidentiality
Any conversations you have with any of the peer supporters will be treated with absolute confidentiality and are strictly 1-1 - they will not go beyond that relationship. During your first chat, your peer supporter will emphasise this as they talk about the boundaries and confidentiality between the two of you.
Meet some of our peer supporters
Sarah Bowler
I have worked at Leeds Beckett since 2012. My favourite part of my role here is supporting students, so it seemed completely natural to sign up to be a peer supporter for my colleagues too! I find joy being outdoors or dancing and I love the communities I have found through these hobbies. Having struggled with my mental health most of my adult life, these support structures have been a literal lifesaver.
Work Pattern:
- In Office (City Campus): Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Working from Home: Tuesday, Thursday
Paddy Hankinson Kempf
I’ve been working in the Library’s Learning Resources team since 2015. I am currently studying Counselling Skills course with York Learning and I also run a bi-monthly charity music event called Think Tank. The event aims to raise awareness of mental health issues within the Leeds clubbing scene and all profits are donated to Leeds Mind.
In my spare time, I love playing music, DJing and recording podcasts. I’ve also struggled with anxiety/depression throughout my life and I am an enthusiastic advocate for destigmatising these and other mental health concerns.
Work Pattern:
- Monday to Friday
- Mix of City Campus plus working remotely
Jo Horsfall
I have been working at Leeds Beckett University for over 26 years within the Library in a variety of roles.
Outside of work, I am a keen runner and love to craft, especially crochet. Both activities help me with my mental health and I am very aware of when I need to self-care. I understand first-hand the power of a good listener, having previously been a Samaritans volunteer for 5 and a half years.
Work Pattern:
- Monday to Friday
- Mostly working from home but on campus one day per week
Laurence Morris
I joined Leeds Beckett in 2013, and work as a LSS (Library and Student Support Services) tutor, POD (People and Organisational Development) coach and CLT (Centre for Learning and Teaching) critical friend, so you may see me around the university in a few contexts. What links these roles is an interest in meeting and learning from others, and in turn supporting them, whether with everyday challenges or longer-term learning or concerns.
Outside of work I’m a keen hillwalker and reader, always happy to be distracted by top tips for future walks or reading. If in doubt, I’d still encourage you to contact anyone on this page – There is support available, and the worst that can happen is a friendly chat with a colleague.
Work Pattern:
- Monday - Friday (both campuses)
Chris McLay
I work both at LBU and also in the care sector and as well as helping support others in understanding their own mental health, I’m also passionate about my own self-care when it comes to wellbeing. Being outside, being active, meeting people and having good times with friends are the activities that give me joy and energy. I’m essentially an optimist and over the years have learned enough about life and myself to know when, what and why I can often find life challenging. My quest in life is not to eliminate these challenges but to learn how to deal with them.
Work Pattern:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Mostly working from home
