The Peer Buddie programme is another element in PsyCaD’s continuous efforts to further wellness among students on all campuses.
The aim and concept is simple. Peers are people of more or less the same age group who have common interests, characteristics and experiences. Peer interactions have a powerful influence on a person’s development. Crucial life skills such as social skills, creative and critical thinking (which is very important for university studies), relationship-friendship skills as well as attitudes and values are developed through peer interactions.
Research also has shown that peer relationships serve as a frame of reference for self-identity. Therefore, peer helping is based on the theory that young people can efficiently help their peers in groups and individually—especially when they are properly trained and supervised by professionals.
Peer helpers (or Peer Buddies, as they are called at UJ), act as a caring force at the first level of contact and service delivery to students. They assist in promoting self-dignity and by empowering others to help themselves. Programmes such as the Peer Buddies have been proved to be very successful and effective in raising levels of academic achievement. Peer Buddies also assist very successfully in preventing drug abuse and in providing a climate that fosters positive socio-emotional growth. In helping others, Peer Buddies also heighten their own self-esteem, leadership skills and personal functioning.
The principle which guides PsyCaD’s Peer Buddies Programme, is that it should be of service to the students in a peer supporting capacity.
Peer Buddies assist PsyCaD and UJ in selected projects and they also become involved in community outreach projects.
Dozens of students are selected to join the Peer Buddies Programme and they receive intensive training at the beginning of every year. They are trained in effective communication, listening skills, project management, conflict management, time and stress management and how to deal with students in distress.
Peer Buddies Year Plan: 2012
Peer Buddies geared up for 2012!
The year 2012 promises to be an exciting year for the Peer Buddies. On 17 January 2012 the Peer Buddies embarked on an enlightening training camp to UJ Island. A total of 58 buddies showed their eagerness and excitement to participate in the programme for 2012.
The training for the Buddies was diverse and provided them with the opportunity to attend various workshops addressing topics such as self-awareness, diversity, how to be a better communicator, how to identify “at risk” students and how to identify signs of distress in an individual. These are just a fraction of the many activities that took place at the Camp.
Three new staff members joined the Peer Buddies programme and they were welcomed by means of a traditional food tasting initiation, which involved blindfolds and the correct tasting of chocolate. Ms. Street (coordinator for DFC), Ms. Froschauer (coordinator for APK) and Ms. Mosebua (WIL student) soon felt part of the family after their initiation.
The outcome of this year’s camp had both a spiritual and profound meaning as facilitators had an opportunity to engage with the Buddies on a personal level. The reflections from the Buddies indicated that they found the new approach to training to be very useful and that the content enabled them to perform their Peer Buddies duties to the best of their ability.
The 2012 Peer Buddies are ready to take UJ by storm. Look out for them in their bright orange T-shirts and bright smiles!