What Is A Peer?

Peer Facilitators or “Peers” are people who use their own lived experience of mental health difficulties to support others

Peers are employed members of staff who work within clinical teams

Peers provide emotional and practical support to service users, in order for them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery

Peer Support is based on working alongside the service users to develop an equal and trusting relationship

Research shows that peer support can improve people’s well-being, meaning they have fewer hospital stays, larger support networks, and better self-esteem, confidence and social skills (Mental Health Foundation, 2023)

Core Values Of Peer Support 

Being non-judgemental and not making assumptions about the person’s experiences or beliefs.

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A willingness to give and receive support, and learn from difference, with both parties sharing their experiences and benefiting from this.

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A non-hierarchical relationship that is of equal value to both parties, and is based on shared experience of service use and recovery.

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Helping the person find solutions that work for them, rather than suggesting solutions.

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Focusing on and building a person’s strengths and their ability to make use of the resources available to them.

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Creating hope and building autonomy. Empowering the person being supported to define, lead and own their recovery. Enable them to identify and work towards their life goals within their communities.

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Peer Duties 

  • Listen, show empathy, share experience and inspire hope and build trust.
  • Help identify and develop achievable and meaningful personal recovery goals.
  • Support service user to gain skills to support recovery.
  • Help service users identify goals.
  • Support with signposting to other services such as employment or housing.
  • Advocate-join ward round reviews or care reviews where the patient may struggle to advocate for themselves.
  • Feedback from friends and family. FFT
  • Support service users to develop a WRAP (wellness recovery action plan)

What Peers Don't Do?

Clinical tasks such as, activity planning, personal care, medication.

 Contact us to find out more

Please reach out to a member of our senior peers team to find out more on how you could look to recruit a peer on your inpatient ward.

Community.roots@lscft.nhs.uk

01772 695 365 

Claire - Peer Facilitator

Having worked as a peer for over 3 years there has been lots of wonderful moments, there is of course challenges to overcome, each day can be different. Dominoes and cards are always on hand. I have also been lucky enough to run groups including health and wellbeing and meditation, the role gives me immense satisfaction especially when I see a patient smile. I feel that the peer role is invaluable we are much needed and make a huge difference.