There are stark differences between grassroots peer support and formalised or professionalised peer support roles being introduced by mental health services (NHS or VHSE). This course helps attendees understand peer support in its different forms, and how the 'type' of peer support offered in their organisation can offer different things for service users.

Core Components is a series of courses by Peer Hub CIC that outline the core knowledge frameworks required for professionals new to the specialist fields or looking to update their knowledge from recent developments.

This online workshop is designed for people working in the mental health sector who employ, work with or are peer staff to better inform their understanding of the different approaches to peer support that are available. The workshop may also be of interest to peer/lived experience leaders who are moving into peer support professional work for the first time, or to refresh their knowledge with up to date developments.

Workshop Content:

This half day training is designed to tackle some of the confusion around peer support across sectors, and support understanding of a range of different approaches and practice models. The course will outline the key differences and similarities in different forms of peer support (from informal/organic support to professionalised peer support roles). It will introduce the concept of 'peer support practice' as a means of formalising peer roles in voluntary, community and statutory mental health organisations.

It will outline:

• The origins of peer support in collective advocacy, mutual support, self help and human rights movements.
• The environments, intentions and conditions for peer support, from its grassroots to mental health service providers.
• The types of 'peer support' approaches, from peer-led practices to interpretations in formalised healthcare roles
• Optimising service user experience of peer support roles by understanding 'peer support practice' and the organisational conditions required for it to thrive.
• Implications for the design of NHS, VCSE and private sector peer support programmes depending on the type of peer support practice model that is chosen for the organisation.

Led by an experienced grassroots peer supporter and former NHS Peer Support Lead, the workshop will guide attendees through different approaches to peer support such as the Hearing Voices groups, Intentional Peer Support, Trauma Informed Peer Support and Recovery Focussed Peer Support. Attendees will learn the difference between 'peer support' and other peer roles, such as peer trainers, mentors or coaches.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance that meets CPD requirements.

Course content is drawn from national and international learning about best practice in statuory mental health sectors, voluntary/charitable sector and user-led organisations. The course is largely relevant to participants from the UK, but may be of interest to our internationally colleagues.

We welcome attendees with lived experience who aspire to peer leadership roles in large organisations.

The workshop will be held over 3.5 hours (1/2 day). There will be 3x45 mins of faciliation with breaks and 15 mins Q&A with facilitators to close. The course is delivered on Zoom in English.

Equipping you to 'be the change'

Trauma Informed Care | Peer Support | Human Rights

About Peer Hub: Peer Hub CIC is a user-led organisation providing training to mental health professionals that will transform mental health service design and profesional practice in the UK.

About Your Trainer: Vikki Price is a former NHS Peer Support Lead with over a decade's experience of strategic development, organisational change and project management. She has led the design of a trauma informed, user-led peer support programme in the NHS and has previously worked in strategic service design in mental health and criminal justice sectors. She is trained in Intentional Peer Support, has lived experience of psychiatric diagnosis and works closely with grassroots, user-led and VCSE organisations. She is an experienced trainer and facilitator.