Things to read about peer support
London Action Trust provides ex-offenders aged 18-25 with the chance to act as trained mentors to young people at risk of offending.
Peer support workers are now being used in the NHS in a pilot project being evaluated by the Scottish Recovery Network and Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health. You can learn more about the initiative
here.
An independent evaluation of peer support worker pilot schemes in five Health Board areas has recommended further roll out of the role at the same time as making recommendations for future implementation.
The research report, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health in partnership with the Universities of Edinburgh and Stirling, includes a number of key findings:
- The peer worker role was successfully piloted in a number of settings but worked best where services were open to recovery focused working.
- Peer workers were welcomed by service users who reported high levels of satisfaction.
- There were challenges for peer workers in adapting to their new roles.
- Peer workers were able to bridge the ‘them and us’ divide between service users and professionals.
- Peer workers roles complement mental health teams with new skills and knowledge.
The pilot schemes were developed as a result of a commitment in Delivering for Mental Health. The Scottish Recovery Network has been supporting the development of the peer support role and will continue to play a role in its promotion and implementation. Click
here to read more.
Scottish Social Networks
Scottish Social Networks was created in response to recommendations in the Homelessness Task Force Final Report to raise awareness of the need for positive social networks and to support the development and integration of befriending, mentoring and mediation services for people affected by homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
The Scottish Social Networks Training Pack, is designed for organisations working with vulnerable and socially excluded people.
The training, which is being distributed throughout Scotland, has been developed by professionals in the social care field. It will be used to train frontline staff and volunteers to encourage their clients to develop positive social networks and help them move away from dependency on services.
Specifically, it will equip staff with analytical skills and practical methods to help clients:
Scottish Social Networks Training Pack
A link below is given to a PDF version of the Scottish Social Networks Toolkit which aims to answer the question; “what makes a successful social networks project happen?” The Toolkit is designed to make it easier for local authorities, voluntary organisations and others to develop successful mentoring, befriending and mediation projects which will help prevent homelessness
Successful Project Development TOOLKIT
This seminar was organised and funded by Scottish Social Networks Forum in partnership with The Rock Trust and University of Stirling. It was attended by a group of twenty invited participants all of whom have experience and a particular interest in the area of resilience in children and young people.
Resilience Knowledge Exchange Report
Glasgow Employability Peer Support Development Group
Mutual Support and Inspiration
This is a network which brings together people wiht an interest in the topic.
The members of the network include:
The aim of this project was to develop a model for peer support in employability, which would enable people in Glasgow to promote partnership in practice and to demonstrate the added value and benefits of peer support and service user led activiiteis. We brought together ideas and practice from mental health employability services across the city.