What is a Campus Buddy?
Campus Buddies are current students, with at least one year鈥檚 experience of studying at the university, who have volunteered and undertaken relevant training. They have a good insight into the practical and social aspects which can help a new student settle in university life. Support can be in person or virtual.
A Campus Buddy is paired with a new student studying the same or a similar course. They provide them with up to five hours support during Welcome Week and then up to one hour per week for the rest of Semester 1. Students may have the option to continue receiving occasional support during Semester 2 if needed.
Here are examples of tasks a Campus Buddy can carry out as part of their role:
- support you in finding your way around campus
- support you in attending the Welcome Fair or similar event
- support you in meeting with a club or society you want to join/have joined
- support you in finding and using facilities on campus e.g. the laundrette, library, computers, Students' Union and gym
- support you in finding local amenities such as the supermarkets in town and the bus stops
- be a point of contact for you to ask general questions about university life
This is not a list of everything that a Campus Buddy can support you with but is to give you an idea of what type of support you can expect.
There are tasks a Campus Buddy cannot do as part of their role including:
- carry out daily living tasks for you such as laundry and cleaning
- replace the Disability Service
- advise you in lieu of your Academic Department
Whilst the scheme officially ends at the end of Semester 1, buddies and students may continue to meet as friends outside the scheme. Students might also be signposted to Student Support run services and activities in semester 2 such as:
- Social Networking Group
- Autism Social Group
- Explore Bath
- Yoga for Relaxation
- Art for Wellbeing
- Wellbeing activities such as garden club, dog walking, cooking classes