Peer support in your community: a toolkit
This toolkit is for people interested in mental health peer support in the community. This includes people who are:
- Supporting people through peer support
- Being supported through peer support
- Setting up a peer support group or project
- Involved in commissioning peer support projects
On this page:
- Introduction to the toolkit
- Understanding the types of peer support
- Activities for setting up or refreshing your peer support
- Core values of peer support
- Setting up peer support
- Challenges with keeping your peer support going
- Resources you'll need for peer support
- Networking with other groups
- Peer leadership
- Other ways to keep your peer support going
- Advice for funders
Two way interaction
Learn what we mean by two way interaction, and why it's so important in peer support.
Human connection
Find out how to create a sense of human connection in your peer support.
Freedom to be oneself
Having the freedom to be yourself is vital in peer support. Learn how to create a space where this is possible.
Focus of peer support
Learn how to set the focus of your peer support group, and the different kind of focuses a peer support group can have.
Leadership and facilitation
Read about the different ways you might want to lead your peer support group, and see our information on leadership training.
Types of membership
Learn the different types of membership you can have in a peer support group, and read the decisions you'll have to make around membership.
Types of support your group might need
Explore the different types of support your group might need - including practical support, training, and making the group a safe space.
Resources you might need for peer support
There are lots of resources you'll need to run a peer support group. In some cases, you'll need funding. Take a look at our funding resources below.
Types of funding
Learn about the types of funding you could get for your peer support projects, and where you can find funding.
The structure to apply for funding
Some funders will only fund groups with certain structures. Learn what these are, and to set them up.
Funding applications
Learn how to apply for peer support funding, how to approach funders, and where to get support with funding applications.
Networking with other groups
Learn what networking means in a peer support context, and how this can help your group.
Support for groups
Learn about the support you could get for your peer support group, and how to set this up.
Networking in remote spaces
Learn how to network remotely in peer support, and find a method which works for you.
Peer leadership
Read our tips on being a good peer leader, and see what key qualities a good peer leader needs.
Power and privilege
Learn what it means to have power and privilege in peer support. And read our tips on valuing group members' voices.
Sustaining peer leadership
Find out how you can support the leader of your peer support group, and read our tips on taking care of yourself as a leader.
Maintaining membership
Learn how to maintain a good group relationship and how to make sure people feel included.
Working with your group
Learn how to create a group agreement or ground rules for a peer support group.
Understand your impact
Learn how to evaluate your peer support group, so you can see what impact it's having on group members' lives.
Supporting yourself and each other
Read our tips on how to support other people in your peer support group, and how to ask for support yourself.
