Find a Peer Supporter

What Peer Supporters can help with

Peer Supporters can offer a supportive conversation to talk through any concerns you are having in confidence. They are not mental health professionals, but they can help you decide on next steps, and signpost to further welfare support if you need it.  

While Peer Supporters will always respect your boundaries, and will not share your personal information unnecessarily, there are some circumstances where a conversation cannot be kept confidential. This includes where there is a serious risk to yourself or others, and in these situations a member of local welfare staff will need to be involved. Wherever possible, this would be done with your knowledge and agreement. 

Finding a Peer Supporter

To find out who your local Peer Supporters are, you can: 

• Speak to members of your college welfare team 
• Ask at the porter’s lodge 
• Look out for posters or other communications in your college promoting Peer Supporters 

If you're struggling to find a Peer Supporter, you can contact [email protected] for advice. 

Peer Supporters with shared identities or experiences

In addition to college-based Peer Supporters, some Peer Supporters have specialist roles relating to an aspect of their identity or experience. If you would like to speak to a Peer Supporter with a specific role, please email [email protected] to be put in touch.

Peers of Colour

Peers of Colour are trained Peer Supporters who identify as students of colour. They support Oxford students of colour and offer space to talk about race, identity, racism, belonging and related experiences within the University.

Rainbow Peers

Rainbow Peers are trained Peer Supporters who identify as LGBTQ+. They support LGBTQ+ students and offer space to talk about sexuality, gender identity, prejudice, inclusion, belonging and related experiences at Oxford.

Disability Diversity Peers

Disability Diversity Peers are trained Peer Supporters who have lived experience of disability and/or an interest in creating a supportive space to talk about disability.

This can include mental health conditions, sensory or mobility impairments, long-term or chronic illness, physical health conditions, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD, and neurodivergence.

They can offer space to talk about disability and identity, navigating University systems, thinking about support such as the Disability Advisory Service, mentoring and broader social experiences.

Peers of Faiths

Peers of Faiths are trained Peer Supporters who are interested in conversations about faith, religion and spirituality in the context of student life. You do not need to have a faith or religious belief to speak to a Peer of Faiths.

This peer support sits alongside chaplaincy and secular welfare provision and welcomes students of all faiths and none.

Coffee Ambassadors

Coffee Ambassadors are trained Peer Supporters who offer informal, confidential chats over free coffee, tea and cake in cafés around Oxford.

They are open to undergraduates, postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers who would like to talk about anything on their mind.

To find out where and when Coffee Ambassadors are available, email [email protected].