Peer Support Workers in PCMHS

What is peer support, and what is a peer support worker?

Peer support workers have lived/living experiences of health challenges and are at a point in their journeys where they can use these experiences to support people (peers) who are at a different stage in their recovery/life journey. Through providing encouragement with compassion and using empathy, they support you by walking alongside you, helping you to work towards your goals. If referred to our service, peer support workers will work with you for up to eight weeks.

Here are some validations shared by peers they have worked with:

“You have helped me gain confidence to get out, to see other possibilities and to make connections in my community.”

"Speaking to you has helped me to build my confidence - even though we have not achieved really big goals, sometimes just talking is enough. I've learned that I can speak to other people; that kind and caring people exist in the world; that not everyone is out to hurt me. I am replacing my old, challenging memories with new ones with you, and I can continue doing so into the future."

What do they offer?

• They can support you to identify your goals and instil hope.
• They can encourage you to explore your strengths and to develop your own wellness tools to increase self-esteem or manage anxiety and wellness plans
• They can support you in independently getting out and about in the community, exploring education, leisure, employment and volunteering opportunities.
• They can explore services in your local area, such as the RCE Wellbeing Hub, Mind, or How Are You.
• They can offer a safe, inclusive space to be yourself and explore your needs.

How do I get a peer support worker?

Speak with your GP who can make a referral to the Primary Care Mental Health Service practitioner to assess your mental health and wellbeing. The primary care mental health practitioner can then make a referral for peer support if appropriate.

What can I expect?

Once a referral has been made, a peer support worker will contact you to arrange a peer support session. During this, they can start supporting you to achieve the goals you identified in your assessment with a primary care mental health practitioner.

They will ensure that your first session is facilitated in a comfortable setting chosen together. They will strive to create a supportive and non-judgemental relationship with you. They will use their lived experience of health challenges to connect with you and to inspire hope.

They will work alongside you and encourage you to identify your strengths and explore what motivates you. They will support you to take control of your own mental health and wellbeing, helping you nurture your confidence and self-esteem.

If you'd like the information above available in a pdf format to download, you can view this here:  Peer Support Leaflet PCMHS Jan 2023.pdf 314KB

This leaflet was co-produced with support from the Sun network, Mind and the RCE Wellbeing Hub.