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Specialist Mentoring

What is mentoring?

Specialist Mentors are appropriately trained and experienced and have knowledge of processes and services at Oxford Brookes. Specialist Mentoring sessions take place online, in Buckley at Headington Campus or at the Harcourt Hill campus. Mentoring is for autistic students or those with Mental Health difficulties or ADHD and can take place regularly on a one-to-one basis.

Mentoring focuses on resourcing you to manage your studies and mitigate the impact of your condition on your experience of university, so that you can work towards your full potential during your time here at Brookes. With your Mentor you will set goals and regularly review your progress to help you keep on track of your objectives.

“To be able to have someone to listen and confide in has been an amazing support. They understand. They have given me so much support and confidence...Priceless.”

Student

Mentoring sessions can include supporting you to:

  • Manage your wellbeing
  • Develop strategies tailored to your needs
  • Overcome barriers
  • Balance academic work with managing your condition
  • Set realistic goals and work towards them
  • Work on strategies to improve attendance
  • Develop your motivation and morale
  • Improve on social skills
  • Access appropriate services within the University and local area

You might begin mentoring at the start of your course, which helps you manage the transition into university, or you might start mid-way through your course. We recognise that university life is not always a smooth process and sometimes things do not go as planned - we’re here to work with you at any point in your course, support you through difficulties and manage possible changes in your plans. We also recognise that you may feel you no longer need mentoring once you have started. There is no obligation to continue with mentoring if you no longer require it.

“My mentor has been a massive anchor throughout the past two years in helping me get through a lot both in academics and emotional wellbeing.”

Student

What our students have said

“My mentor is very supportive and is really helping me manage my workload.”

“My personal mentor was both supportive and encouraging which undoubtedly contributed to my academic success.”

“She makes me feel positive and better able to cope with any issues or difficulties I'm facing.”

How to access specialist mentoring support

If you have mental health difficulties or are diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, please register with the Inclusive Support Service. Disability Advisers within the service can meet with you to discuss the various options for specialist support appropriate to your individual situation and may refer you to the mentoring service.

Specialist Mentoring is typically funded by Disabled Students' Allowance. This is a non-means tested source of funding from the relevant funding body (e.g. Student Finance England) and you will be allocated a certain number of hours per year.

If you have not already applied for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) and think you may be eligible, the Inclusive Support Service can advise on this. The form and more information can be found on the DSA website.

If you are already have funding in place, please complete the Mentoring Support referral form.

International students or UK students who do not qualify for Disabled Students' Allowance may also be able to access mentoring. You can contact the Inclusive Support Service and make an appointment to see an Adviser to discuss this. To maximise accessibility for as many students as possible and support students towards independence, we limit the number of mentoring sessions available each year.

Other areas of support

Mentoring is separate from and should not replace any support or care you already receive from counselling or NHS services. It is also not the same as study skills support for specific learning difficulties or general study skills advice. More information about these services can be found here:

Counselling »

Dyslexia / SpLD »

Centre for Academic Development »