Harassment Peer Support Network - volunteers needed

Volunteers are wanted to form a new network acting as a first point of contact for colleagues concerned about bullying and harassment.

The Harassment Peer Support Network will be a group of supportive colleagues to listen and provide confidential support and information, outside of the formal University processes. to those who report experiencing negative and unwanted behaviours.

The Network will support both colleagues experiencing negative behaviours and those accused of them. The new volunteers will join the existing team of Harassment Advisers as a refreshed Network, which will run in parallel to the Wellbeing Peer Support Network.

The creation of the Network is part of the University’s commitment to providing a safe working environment where everyone is treated with respect.

What will Network members do?

Network members will provide a listening ear and informal support to colleagues with concerns. They will explain options open to them and direct them to internal and external sources of advice and support.

Members will not be expected to give advice on whether the reported behaviour constitutes harassment, provide counselling, legal advice or ongoing emotional support, approach those accused of the behaviours or be part of any formal investigation process.

Volunteers should therefore be:

• Empathetic
• Good listeners
• Able to read body language
• Able to communicate policies and practices clearly
• Open-minded and aware of unconscious bias
• Non-judgmental
• Good at building trusted relationships quickly
• Able to set clear boundaries

The HR Advisory team and the Diversity and Inclusion team will provide guidance and training to the volunteers. There will be regular Network meetings to share and reflect on experiences.

How to apply

Colleagues in all roles are invited to apply to be members of the Harassment Peer Support Network.

If you are interested, please write a brief Expression of Interest (maximum 200 words), outlining why you would like to volunteer to be part of the Network.

Please email this to Ceara Webster, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, or Nicola Johnson, HR Advisory Lead, by the closing date of 1 December 2023.

Applicants will be invited to a contact meeting to discuss the role and how they can fit it around other work commitments.