MAV Interns
Peer Mentoring Programme
Healthcare workers in Scotland deal with the consequences of violence every day…
Most of the injuries affect young men, leaving them with scars, disabilities and psychological problems. They may even kill them.
Healthcare workers are good at treating the injuries and dealing with the medical consequences of violence but that’s not enough. Dr Christine Goodall and her team decided it was time that healthcare joined the campaign to reduce violence. They created the charity Medics Against Violence (MAV) with the aim of preventing violence before it happens. Using their experiences, medical professionals can help young people stay safe by giving them an understanding of the consequences of violence and how to avoid it.
MAV Interns
MAV interns is a school based Peer Mentoring Initiative involving Medical Professionals and S6 students.
Within the safe and supportive learning environment of school, Medics teach young people about a number of challenging issues that affect our communities across Scotland –
- Dangers and Consequences of Alcohol
- Consequences of violence
- Injuries
- Importance of reducing knife crime & violence
- Keeping each other safe
Medics support discussion and challenge young people’s thinking on a range of issues that are current and contribute to many forms of violence.
Students are encouraged to talk openly in discussions with Medics and to share views and thoughts as well as listening to the opinions of others. These discussions help to break down unhealthy group norms and contribute to a shared approach to keeping each other safe.
Following 5 sessions with various Medical Professionals, S6 students use their knowledge and understanding to formulate scenarios and short lessons to deliver to younger pupils within the S2 and S3 PSE curriculum.
This peer mentoring approach is a powerful way to get our important safety message across to younger pupils and to help build safer schools and safer communities.
The Role of the MAV Intern
MAV interns are role models within their school and within their local community. The message they deliver to younger pupils is crucial to the promotion of safety and violence reduction. The leadership promoted by MAV interns will create positive and lasting outcomes for young people, schools and local communities.
Interns will help provide younger pupils with knowledge and skills essential to the promotion of a safe school environment and encourage contribution to building safer communities.
Younger pupils are encouraged
Skills Focus
Working with others
MAV interns will learn to:
- Communicate effectively, knowing when and how to assert their own views
- Cooperate by working with others but also recognising when it is appropriate and best to work on their own
- Be a good team player, knowing how to draw from the strengths of others but also how to help build strengths in others
- Take responsibility for their contribution to group tasks
Leadership
MAV interns will learn to:
- Value the views and contributions of others
- Influence and help others in the promotion of keeping each other safe
- Show a determination towards achieving a safer school and community
- Serve as role models to others, conveying a commitment to their school and local community.
- Take responsibility for leading and directing the group or sections of lesson delivery
Enterprise and employability
MAV interns will learn to:
- Recognise the need to negotiate with others to take ideas forward
- Take initiative in working with and leading others
- Be creative, flexible and resourceful with a positive attitude to change
- Be self aware, optimistic and have an open mindset particularly when listening and working with views and opinions of others
- Show determination to succeed
- Meet roles and expectations
