PGR Peer Wellbeing Ambassador 2026
The PGR Wellbeing Ambassador role was introduced to better prepare and support PGR students for doctoral study and the staff who support them, and to provide a safe, non-judgemental space for students with similar experiences to come together and support one another. The individual local schemes see ambassadors organise and facilitate a peer support group within their school and across the faculty. Going forward, we aim to bring together all ambassador scheme groups to form a collective University ambassador network.
As a PGR Peer Wellbeing Ambassador, you will engage with students across your identified school or faculty scheme, helping with first-year PhD students and their transition to postgraduate study. Ambassadors will also support students from across years of study with help and advice. You will not be providing specialist advice or counselling, but rather form part of a support network, which can promote support structures through various means, inclusive of facilitated sessions and ‘social’ ambassador events. This group will aim to direct peers who are in need, of the most appropriate support for them. We also want our ambassadors to be proactive, and willing to approach other students allowing them to build relationships and recognise those who may be struggling and in need of help. You are not expected to have experience as a peer ambassador or be in a running peer support group, as appropriate training and support will be provided.
In recognition of your contribution to the scheme as a PGR Peer Wellbeing Ambassador, dependant on continued engagement, you will receive a personal award of £550, towards your studies and time at the University. Further information on when this personal award will be paid and how it can be spent can be discussed with the Faculty PGR Team.
Responsibilities and duties
- To attend and fully participate in a bespoke training and development programme which will support you in your role, providing feedback on content and delivery to the University ambassador network team.
- To work with your fellow ambassadors, establish and facilitate a safe peer support group for all schools in the faculty PGR student cohort.
- To act as a PGR Peer Wellbeing Ambassador, proactively promoting wellbeing and support available during a student’s postgraduate study. Through training and development, you will develop a good understanding of the support available to PGR students. This will allow you to advise students where to seek the support they need. That might be from student support services, a member of staff within your school or elsewhere within the University.
- To develop a good understanding of the administrative aspects of undertaking a PhD and what life is like in your school and faculty so that you can provide advice and guidance to your peers regarding administrative and everyday tasks within your area.
- To work with your ambassador scheme team and wider University ambassador network to understand the boundaries of the support you offer and help manage the expectations of your peers.
- To be accessible (within reason), regularly communicate with and promote your group in a variety of ways, including via University email accounts, attending school or faculty-level events, or face-to-face.
- To be visible and proactive, approaching students to build relationships and recognise those who may be struggling and in need of help.
- To facilitate social, academic and experience-sharing sessions, alongside your fellow ambassadors for your school, institute or faculty PGR students
- To contribute to managing logistics of the group including; booking rooms, collecting anonymised feedback from attendees, and attending ambassador team meetings
- To maintain regular contact with the faculty ambassador scheme lead.
- To attend regular meetings with your school or faculty ambassador team and staff scheme lead to provide feedback on how the scheme is working, and to discuss any issues/concerns/needs you may have.
- To attend school or faculty PGR events organised both by staff (such as the PGR Forum and induction events) and those organised by the PGR Society or other PGR groups, if applicable, to raise your visibility within the PGR community. Not all events will need to be attended by all ambassadors, and attendance can be arranged on a rotational basis.
- To attend and help promote University-wide PGR events delivered by the University ambassador network, The Guild of Students and further collaborators across the University.
Skills and knowledge
- Being non-judgemental, respectful and open-minded
- Willingness to learn and develop, and ability to give and receive feedback
- Being proactive
- Strong communication skills with people from all backgrounds
- Time management, ability to prioritise tasks appropriately, and organisational skills
- Ability to work independently and within a team
- Enthusiasm for leadership and responsibility
- Ability to take initiative and engage in problem-solving, whilst keeping in line with University policies and procedures.
The commitment
The role will be for 12 months starting from 12th January 2026 and will last until 11th January 2027.
You must attend the full PGR Peer Wellbeing Ambassador training programme, which will be the equivalent of 2½ days throughout January 2026, starting with a full day’s training during January 2026 (TBC). You will also have to attend any additional necessary ad-hoc training sessions throughout the commitment. We specifically would like you to be available during the first month following the October intake of new PGR students, to help launch and promote the ambassador scheme to both new and existing students.
We expect that this role will require approximately 6-8 hours of volunteering per month (in addition to any ad-hoc training). However, this will vary depending on students’ needs. Your faculty ambassador scheme staff lead will maintain regular communications with you to keep an oversight on the workload as we would not want this to become so burdensome that it impacts your own studies.
You will need to seek permission from your supervisor prior to application.
Support for you as a PGR peer wellbeing ambassador
Volunteering as a PGR Peer Wellbeing Ambassador will provide a unique opportunity to develop skills, make a difference in student wellbeing in your school and faculty, boost your CV, and gain experience in the field of mental health.
- You will receive a bespoke training and development programme prior to and during your role, including an accredited Mental Health First Aid qualification which will allow you to become a ‘Mental Health Champion’.
- You will receive coaching and share in reflective practice to support your development throughout the role.
- You will receive support from your faculty ambassador scheme staff lead throughout your role, and from other University services when appropriate.
Am I the right person for this role?
We welcome and encourage all identified schools, institutes and faculty PGR students to consider applying for this role, as we look to develop a network which is representative of our diverse PGR community. However, your wellbeing as a PhD student is our priority. Please think carefully about whether the role is suitable for you and whether this is an appropriate time for you to take on these responsibilities. Please take into consideration your current and likely academic workload over the next academic year, and discuss with your supervisors whether you will have the capacity to commit to being a PGR Wellbeing Peer Ambassador for the next 12 months.
If you are interested in becoming a PGR Wellbeing Peer Ambassador, please download the form below.