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Peer Support Leader Guide: Meet the PAL Team

This guide is designed for our Peer Support Leaders to contain all the information they require to carry out their role, including key contacts, the process for the observations and how to claim their pay.

Meet the Central PAL Team!

The Central PAL Team, led by the Peer Learning Officer, provide day to day support for PAL across the whole of BU.

They are responsible for:

  • Providing an open door policy to support to all PAL Leaders
  • Answering PAL related queries
  • Creating useful resources  and guidance for PAL Leaders
  • Liaising with the PAL Academic Course Contacts
  • Co-ordinating the PAL Leader Facilitation Course
  • Processing your pay claims
  • Monitoring your attendance registers
  • Observing PAL sessions
  • Managing a team of Peer Support Leaders who are former PAL Leaders studying in their final year, who help observe PAL sessions

Aimée Fish - Peer Learning Officer

Hey! I'm Aimée and my role is Peer Learning Officer for BU. My main responsibility is managing and running the PAL Scheme on a day to day basis, which can include a number of things as listed above!

A bit about me... I have been in my role since May 2017, a couple of months before graduating as a Creative Event Management student from Falmouth University in Cornwall. I was a PAL Leader there, and had the amazing opportunity to work alongside their PAL Team in my last two years of studying. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I decided I wanted to pursue a career in it so I was thrilled when I landed my dream job here! I'm incredibly passionate about mentoring and peer support, having been there myself and seen the impact PAL Leaders can have on first year students transitioning to uni. I love working in a student facing role and getting to know all of you. In my spare time I enjoy baking, spending time with my two dalmatians and am currently renovating my first home!

Emma Lucas Vieira - PAL Placement student

Hi! I’m Emma and I’m the PAL Placement Student for 2022-2023. I study International Business and Management at BU and I was previously a PAL Leader in 2021-2022. I joined PAL Central in July 2022 for my placement year.

My responsibilities include assisting the team with various duties such as monitoring queries, running promotional activities, assisting with recruitment and many other things!

My role as a PAL Leader was a great experience that helped me develop my confidence and public speaking skills. I also earnt a lot of insight into how to facilitate a session effectively and the importance of mentoring and supporting students during their first year at university.

Outside of my university life, I enjoy reading books, being with my friends and travelling. My most recent travels were to Alaska, Edinburgh and Barcelona! I’m hoping to visit more places soon.

Emma Crowley - LLS Academic Liaison Manager

My role at BU is as the Academic Liaison Manager in Library & Learning Support.

Having spent my entire professional career working in UK universities I have considerable experience working with students and academic colleagues across all different subject disciplines.  My background is in Higher Education libraries and as well as having a strategic overview of the PAL Scheme I manage the Faculty Library Teams, Researcher Systems and Support, the Study Skills Workshop programme and Language Learning Support.

It’s a really rewarding role, particularly working with the Central PAL Team!

What I enjoy most is working with students and colleagues, listening to their feedback and helping to find creative solutions.