How Peer Support groups can help you
What is Peer Support?
Peer support is when people use their own experiences to help each other. Community Living Well Peer Support is available to people over 16 who experience mental health problems whilst under the care of their GP, and their carers.
It can support you if you want to:
- feel less isolated
- increase your confidence
- get or give support and talk to others who understand your mental health problems through a shared experience
- be more knowledgeable about your mental health
The current situation…
Although the Peer Support team cannot provide our usual face-to-face meetings and groups at the moment, our wellbeing services have continued to support people online. Feedback from people using these new services has been extremely positive.
We want to reassure you that if you are struggling, we can help. Whether it is online for now, or face-to-face when things return to normal, our sessions still provide a place to meet new people and share your feelings without judgement.
Don’t take our word for it – here are some of the things that people have said about their experience with Peer Support…
“My therapist referred me to Peer Support. It has helped me a lot to make progress in areas of my life. I’ve been given helpful information from the Peer Support staff and, step by step, I’m doing more things. I have recently contacted a volunteering service that they gave me information about.”
“I am new to Peer Support. Very, very good experience – made me smile and it was nice to talk to others with similar issues – it made me feel more understood, like I’m not the only one. Good mix of people.”
“It’s the best service I’ve ever been to – it’s amazing. Sometimes people can spend days without talking. Amazing staff, very kind. And I have spoken to some really nice people there.”
“I can’t thank you enough! I didn’t realise how isolated I was before I joined Peer Support. I’ve been making terrific friends, having lots of laughs and coffee breaks. I am more relaxed and I’ve been having a ball of a time! Everything is organised to perfection, and I always leave [a group] on a high! The staff are incredibly dedicated and send such lovely texts – it’s great to feel part of a community.”
“I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the Zoom meetings. They really are a lifesaver as they give me a reason to get up. The Mental Health Support Group helps me learn new ways of trying to cope with these very scary times, and I also very much enjoy the Quiz and Art Groups – they help cheer me up and take my mind off my problems. Thanks for all your great work and please keep the Zoom meetings up and running to help so many of us through these very difficult times.”
How to register
To refer yourself to the Peer Support service, please fill out this online form or call us on 020 3317 4200.
See our upcoming events and meetings.
This article was originally published in the Autumn/Winter 2020 edition of Community Living Well magazine. To subscribe to receive the magazine, complete this form.
Author: Stewart Gillespie
Posted on: 17th February 2021
