Accessibility statement

Student Helpers

In spring 2024 we will be recruiting Student Helpers to support us with the Step Ahead transition programme. 

Student Helper roles are open to current University of York students who have previously attended Step Ahead.

Student Communities Student Helper

We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic Student Helpers to support the delivery of the Step Ahead transition programme. 

Step Ahead is designed to help new undergraduate students from underrepresented Student Communities to have the best possible start to university life. Step Ahead includes workshops, campus tours and an evening social. Our Student Communities Student Helpers will offer friendly support and reassurance to those attending Step Ahead, as well as facilitating opportunities for students to make friends and establish peer support. 

This year’s Student Helpers will have the opportunity to continue supporting students throughout the academic year by facilitating events as part of our Student Communities programme. However, it is not essential that you volunteer to be involved in this programme. Our Student Communities events programme provides a friendly environment for students to get involved in different activities while getting to know other students. This year events have included coffee drop-ins, craft sessions, lunch and chat events and bouldering. 

As a Student Communities Student Helper you will work closely with our Student Events and Activities Administrator and Step Ahead team to ensure that all students have a positive and engaging experience during these events.

Role requirements

Role requirements

You will need to be available to work Monday to Friday during the week commencing Monday 2nd September as well as available to attend a one-day in-person briefing session, which will take place on Thursday 29th August.

All Student Helpers will also be required to complete a short compulsory online training module (expected to take 1- 2 hours) in July. For more information please see the Training and Support tab.  

In order to be a Student Communities Student Helper you will need to:

  • Have previously attended Step Ahead
  • Be available to attend a 30-minute group interview in Week 12 (w.c 13.05.24)
  • Be studying at the University in the 2024/5 academic year (either as an undergraduate or a postgraduate).
  • Have a warm, friendly, and helpful attitude
  • Be reliable, punctual, and flexible to respond to the varied demands of the role
  • Be confident to initiate conversations with new students who may feel anxious
  • Be willing to carry out tasks to a high standard without constant supervision
  • Have the ability to use your own initiative.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

As a Student Communities Student Helper, you will be asked to: 

  • Offer friendly support and reassurance to students attending Step Ahead (and Student Communities events if you continue your role as a Student Helper)
  • Facilitate Step Ahead’s evening entertainment and help students to make friends and establish peer support
  • Socialise with new students during Step Ahead and help them feel at ease 
  • Ensure students attending the workshops/ events are in the right place at the right time
  • Support Step Ahead presenters with their workshops and encourage attendees to participate in the interactive elements
  • Take a group of students on a campus tour 
  • Respond to any enquiries in a helpful and polite manner
  • Assist with event feedback gathering
  • Carry out other duties assigned to you by the Step Ahead organisers and our Student Events and Activities administrator

All of this will be covered in more detail during your training and at the briefing session in August. 

Training and Support

Training and support

All Student Helpers will need to complete a short compulsory online training module (expected to take 1- 2 hours) over a two-week period in July. This training will cover your role and responsibilities; safeguarding; how you can support students during events; effective communication skills and how to problem solve and overcome challenges. 

You will be paid to complete this online training (see rate of pay in the 'Benefits' tab).

Student Communities Student Helpers will need to attend a compulsory in-person briefing session on Thursday 29th August. At this briefing, we will provide you with more information about your day-to-day role at Step Ahead as well as the opportunity to meet with the other Student Helpers. We will confirm the times of this training at least one month before it takes place. 

Each Student Helper will be supported by Lara Jones, Student Events and Activities Administrator as well as the wider Step Ahead team throughout their time in this role.

Benefits

Benefits

Rates of pay

Student Communities Student Helpers will be paid £12.28 per hour plus holiday pay. 

Other benefits

The other benefits of working as a Student Helper include having the opportunity to make a positive difference to new students' first University experiences. 

This role can also help you to develop transferable skills that will enhance your employability prospects, including skills in:

  • Team work - you will work closely with other Student Helpers as well as University staff.
  • Social and cultural awareness - you will support new students who are from a range of backgrounds.
  • Problem Solving - you will need to use your initiative to solve any unexpected challenges you are faced with.  

Visit our Your employability skills webpage for more information about skills and how to develop them. 

For help in presenting your skills and experiences in job or course applications visit the CVs and applications web page.  

The skills you develop as a Step Ahead Student Helper can contribute towards your York Award and York Futures Scholarship applications. 

Applying

Applying

Applications will open at 10am on Monday 29th April. 

The deadline for applications is 11pm on Monday 6th May. 

For further information about being a Student Communities Student Helper please email student-communities@york.ac.uk.

Returning Helpers

If you were a Step Ahead/Student Communities Student Helper in 2022/23, you won’t need to re-apply for this role. All returning helpers will be contacted by the Step Ahead team via email to ask if they would like to help with Step Ahead 2024 .

All returning helpers will need to complete the online training module in July and attend the briefing day on Thursday 29th August

Support with your application 

If you have any questions, or would like any assistance to complete this form, please email the Student Communities team at student-communities@york.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

Student Feedback

Student feedback 

The quotes below show the positive impact our Student Helpers had on those attending previous Step Ahead Events: 

I have zero compunction, zero doubts, indeed, zero qualms about making this bold statement: The [Student communities] Student Helpers were the best thing about Step Ahead. Not only were they friendly, approachable and informative, they were actually engaging and fun to be around. My experience at Step Ahead was enhanced 10x by the student helpers!" Harrison, History and Politics

"They were amazingly helpful and made the entire experience much more worth it". Lumi, Chemistry

"They were all very, very helpful and funny, I feel more confident about going to uni after seeing how confident and happy they all seemed, they seem to have settled in well, very nice group of helpers". Polly, Sociology

"I found the student helpers to be a particular highlight of Step Ahead". Ethan, History and Politics

"All the student helpers were really friendly and welcoming. They were so helpful and made me feel so happy to have joined the community at York. They were definitely really open to everyone's questions including a couple of my own and they made me feel so welcome at York." Thomas, Physics