Table 1
Summary of the mentors, modules and registered students in the “Student Buddies Programme” for the academic year 2023–24.
| NUMBER OF PEER MENTORS | NUMBER OF REGISTERED STUDENTS (MENTEES) | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (1 module; 60 credits) | 6 | 1472 |
| Year 2 (2 modules; 60 credits each) | 7 | 1026 |
| Year 3 (2 modules; one of 60 credits, one of 30 credits) | 6 | 871 |
| Year 3 (capstone project module; 30 credits) | 8 | 1068 |
| Total | 27 | 4437 |
Table 2
List of skills and attributes used in questionnaires 1 and 2.
| Previous knowledge of the module |
| ICT skills |
| Time management skills |
| Previous peer-mentoring skills |
| Experience of Open University forums |
| Social media skills (e.g., Facebook moderator, Twitter user |
| Interpersonal skills |
| Ability to help people |
Figure 1
Number of respondents (%) agreeing to importance of personal attributes for buddying.
Table 3
Most common themes from free text questions in Questionnaire 1.
| QUESTION | THEMES |
|---|---|
| Motivations for volunteering | 1. Provide help 2. Extend personal development 3. Flexibility in timing of carrying out role |
| Concerns before starting | 1. No concerns 2. Ability to help others effectively 3. Time commitment |
| Thoughts about starting | 1. Eager and excited 2. Confident 3. Feel supported 4. Nervous and apprehensive |
Figure 2
Comparison of personal attributes’ importance pre- (Questionnaire 1, repeated from Figure 1) and post-mentoring (Questionnaire 2) experience.
Figure 3
Skills identified as having developed during mentoring.
Figure 4
Main themes from Focus Groups.