Getting support for your peer support group
It is important to think about whether or not you need support for your peer support – and if so, where you might access that support.
Types of support
If your group has been established under the umbrella of a larger organisation, such as a local or national charity, you may have access to support already. If your peer support is independent, it may be helpful to reach out to local or national organisations who may be able to offer support. There are national organisations, like Mind, who offer peer support resources online.
Another way of gaining support would be to join forces with other peer support groups and share peer mentoring between you.
These are some types of support you might need:
- Practical support – venue, refreshments, access to technology
- Activity resources – art and craft materials, gardening tools
- Communications – sharing information about your group when you need more members
- Shared learning or training
- Mentoring or supervision for facilitators
"We have peer support guidelines for behaviour in groups and that covers things like, it's okay to make mistakes, it's okay to say sorry and make amendments, it's okay to leave and come back. We agree to not interrupt. We agree to listen and not pass judgement."
Practical support
Local organisations, particularly those running peer support projects, may be able to provide some of the practical support required for starting up and running a project. They may be able to provide access to free venues, material resources required for activities or technology required for running your group online. It is always worth asking.
This type of practical support from a local organisation can allow your group to develop and grow. The advantages of being linked to a local organisation might also increase peers’ access to other services, such as an advice service or employment projects. On the other hand, peers might feel that being too strongly linked to an organisation might compromise the independence of the group and limit the extent to which they can adapt peer support to meet their needs.
Safety
Being associated with another organisation can provide peer support groups with an extra level of safety. For example, the organisation might have safety guidelines or policies they can share with you. Peers can find it reassuring to know who to turn to when they have concerns about another peer’s safety or if they want to refer someone for additional support.
Training and supervision for peer leaders
An important element of support for your group is the need to ensure that leaders or facilitators are well supported. This could mean providing training and supervision to peers who are taking on leadership roles, such as group facilitation or listening skills.
Supervision allows group facilitators to discuss issues or concerns that might arise when running the group. It can take the form of one-to-one meetings with a peer mentor in the organisation or facilitated group supervision meetings.
"I think in the time I’ve done it, there’s been two times where I’ve needed to seek extra support for somebody who was really worried. So, I guess, that’s that element. I guess in terms of working for a charity like [lead organisation], we have to be accountable, as well."
Reflective questions
What type of support does our group need?
- What type of support are we seeking? For example, financial and material resources (like free use of venues), safety guidelines, provision of training?
- What kind of resources do we have amongst group members that we can share between us?
- What resources do we need to find from another group or organisation?
- Are there any local groups or organisations that we could reach out to?
- What kind of training or supervision do we need for group facilitators?
- What kind of safety guidance should we put in place?
If there is an organisation able to provide support
- What benefits might affiliation with an organisation bring?
- How might affiliation with an organisation limit what we want to do?
- Which type of organisation will fit best with our peer support? For example, a national mental health organisation, a local mental health organisation or a local organisation with a primary focus on other issues such as migration, disability or domestic violence? This will depend on our focus and how we define who our peer support is for.
