Mental Health Peer Support Volunteer

Tasks

–          What you have in common.

Peer support brings together people with shared experiences, and these experiences can vary. For example, share a diagnosis of a particular mental health problem or similar personal interests. Or shared experiences, such as hearing voices, identifying as LGBTIQ+ or having a shared cultural background.

–          What you do together.

You might focus on talking and discussion, which could be about particular topics or difficulties, anything you feel like or a mixture, depending on how the support is run. Or you might do activities together such as walking, gardening, sport or being creative.

–          How you access the support.

Peer support might involve meeting in person or it might be something you access online. You might also use other ways getting in touch, such as emails, phone calls or text messages.

–          How many people take part.

You might meet in a group, which might sometimes be called a self-help or support group. Or you might take part in one to one peer support, which is sometimes called mentoring or befriending. This is where you work towards goals you’ve agreed together with someone else.