Trinity College Junior Common Room

Peer Support

What is Peer Supporting?

Peer Supporters are students in college who have had basic training in listening skills by a professional in the Unviersity Counselling Service. We are open minded and confidential, and trained in supporting various issues, including crisis situations, regardless of what they're in relation to.

You can come and see a Peer Supporter if you have an issue that you want to talk about, or if you just want a chat. There are no welfare hours, so it's nice and informal, and the Peer Supporters are available throughout the day to help out whenever you need it.

Just give any of us a call, or drop us an email!

Your friendly Peer Supporters are:

Living in college:

Living off site (but still available for all your peer-supporting needs):

Peer Supporters are:

  • Confidential
  • Supportive
  • Sympathetic
  • Friendly
  • Open-minded
  • There to talk to or just for a chat, whatever you need!

Although we can't solve all your problems for you, we can help you along your way.

There are a lot of support networks around Oxford - including the University Counselling Service - that the College Welfare system can put you in touch with. Peer Support is designed to be a stepping stone between you and these other places: peer supporters can help you work through your options and work out what you really want to get from any action you take.

Often though, sometimes just getting a work-panic or another stress off your chest to someone who is willing to listen can be all that you need. Peer Support is also keen to debunk the idea that only those with serious 'problems' require support. Peer supporters are there for everyone - and have been trained in supporting all sorts of issues (from friendship, family, relationships, change, settling in, academic stress, years abroad, identity, stereotypes and prejudices...etc.)

For more information on the peer-support system, try the University's Student-led support website.

Remember: The same Code of Confidentiality that applies across the University applies to Peer Support and anything discussed, either formally or informally, is treated as confidential. Under normal circumstances, nothing will be revealed to anyone else without your express permission.

Even you are uncomfortable with talking to a Peer Supporter at Trinity, the Peer Supporters have links with Peer Supporters in other Colleges - and links with the wider Welfare network of Oxford University, so please do get in touch and we can try and refer you to someone that can offer you the right kind of support.

What we're up to!

There will be fortnightly JCR teas this term, a chance to take a break from study, meet lovely people and be fed biscuits and tea (or juice) FOR FREE. For times and days, see bottom of this page, the JCR website calender, and posters around college.

Don't forget about The Trinity Cookie Fairy!

The system still works like this: if you notice anyone who could really do with a cookie (i.e. cheering up), email the name to The Trinity Cookie Fairy and we will see that the person concerned will find a cookie in their pidge in the next couple of days. Your name won't be mentioned! We might have to limit the number of cookies per person per term, but we shall see how it goes. Trinity Cookiefairy also now has a facebook page

So, if you have any issues, stress or if you are in need of tea and a friendly face, don't hesitate to contact us!

You can also refer to the JCR Welfare Handbook

Want to get involved in Peer Support?

Are you interested in being able to listen? Want to improve your communication skills?

If you want to get involved in the Peer Support program then keep your eyes open for notices in Michaelmas Term.

The training takes place over Hilary term, usually every Wednesday afternoon in Brasenose.

The training totals 30 hours, focuses on:

  • Basic listening skills
  • Body language
  • Tackling stereotypes and prejudices
  • Communication skills (including assertive communication)
  • Family issues
  • Suicide prevention

Once the training is completed there is a fortnightly session with our Supervisor, Anne to make sure we keep our skills up to scratch and to organise publicity.