Peer Support
Peer support occurs when people with shared experiences are in a position to help each other. It is a unique relationship of reciprocal support founded on the “key principles of respect, shared responsibility and a mutual agreement of what is helpful”(Mead et al, 2001).
Basset, Faulkner, Repper and Stamou (2010) state that “the essence of peer support begins with informal and naturally occurring support”. This can become the bedrock of peer led and recovery-focused initiatives, such as Involvement Centres.
In essence, people with lived experience use their own knowledge and expertise to help both themselves and others. This support has the authenticity of being rooted in personal experience, which is a powerful and effective way of learning. As peer support becomes more structured and organised, it can become more focused and helpful, but care must be taken that its essence is not lost within these more formal and professional structures.
Peer Support Workers were introduced to the Mental Health Service in 2017 and continue to inform how the service improves, how services are delivered and how people are supported.
Basset, Faulkner, Repper and Stamou (2010) state that “the essence of peer support begins with informal and naturally occurring support”. This can become the bedrock of peer led and recovery-focused initiatives, such as Involvement Centres.
In essence, people with lived experience use their own knowledge and expertise to help both themselves and others. This support has the authenticity of being rooted in personal experience, which is a powerful and effective way of learning. As peer support becomes more structured and organised, it can become more focused and helpful, but care must be taken that its essence is not lost within these more formal and professional structures.
Peer Support Workers were introduced to the Mental Health Service in 2017 and continue to inform how the service improves, how services are delivered and how people are supported.
| ImROC Peer Support Workers Theory and Practice |
| Peer Support A Systemic Approach |
| Peer Support Workers A Guidance Paper |