Isobel Dosser and Shona Montgomery (School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care)
The Peer-assisted Student Support Project (PASS) began in 2012 as a pilot within the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care. The project currently encompasses all fields of practice across the School and now includes a number of dimensions. Students who volunteer are given training and have been involved in many initiatives running within and outwith the University. These include buddying junior students, running workshops in local schools in deprived areas, supporting recruitment and open days within the School and facilitating practice of skills. PASS students are recruited on a voluntary basis and supported by specific academic staff who are part of the PASS team. Incentives such as portfolio enhancement and recognition of student participation are key to recruitment and experience gained by volunteers includes many skills attractive to employers.