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Article
Publication date: 16 September 2013

Simon Lawton-Smith

This paper aims to provide a summary of where peer support currently sits in the UK mental health services policy and practice. It presents an overview of models of peer support;…

1506

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a summary of where peer support currently sits in the UK mental health services policy and practice. It presents an overview of models of peer support; the UK national policy on peer support; evidence of the benefits of peer support; case studies of recent and continuing peer support in action; challenges facing peer support; and suggestions for developing peer support in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper selects and discusses evidence from academic literature and policy and practice on peer support within the UK.

Findings

The evidence base demonstrating the benefits of peer support in mental health across the UK is increasing. This has persuaded UK governmental bodies to encourage the development of peer support services, of which there is a number of models and examples, although the current economic climate poses challenges to their development.

Originality/value

Historically, peer support in mental health services across the UK has developed piecemeal. But at a time when policy-makers, health practitioners and people who use mental health services are increasingly recognising the benefits of peer support, this paper draws key evidence together and provides pointers towards the future development of such services.

Details

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-6228

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2012

Alison Faulkner and Thurstine Basset

This paper aims to explore the extensive roots of peer support in mental health, and to identify the values and principles that the authors wish to hold onto as choices are made…

396

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the extensive roots of peer support in mental health, and to identify the values and principles that the authors wish to hold onto as choices are made as to how and whether to engage with formal peer support within the National Health Service (NHS).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors attempt to cover the ground of three types of peer support, but with an emphasis on informal peer support and participation in consumer or peer‐run groups as providing the roots for the third more formal type, which is often known as intentional peer support (IPS).

Findings

Professionalisation of peer support may endanger the equality that lies at the root of peer support relationships. Independence may also be compromised if peer support becomes just another part of mainstream services. Whilst an individual/personalised approach to providing services has many strengths, one must be careful not to remove all opportunity for service users to meet together, support one another, plan and campaign.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that commissioners of services should aim for a plurality of peer support and be careful to ensure that informal peer support is flourishing as an essential basis for more formal peer support.

Originality/value

The paper shows that, with an increased interest in providing peer support as part of mainstream services, it is important to stress the basic values and principles that underpin informal service‐user led peer support.

Details

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-6228

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 August 2010

Simon Bradstreet and Rebekah Pratt

This article describes the development of peer support roles and programmes in Scotland, and includes findings from an evaluation of a peer support worker pilot scheme. The…

Abstract

This article describes the development of peer support roles and programmes in Scotland, and includes findings from an evaluation of a peer support worker pilot scheme. The evaluation assessed the impact of the pilot on service users, peer support workers and the wider service system, along with considering the issues involved in implementing peer support programmes.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 February 2012

Alison Faulkner and Thurstine Basset

The purpose of this paper is to review current perspectives on peer support in mental health informed by service user perspectives.

1233

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review current perspectives on peer support in mental health informed by service user perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is informed by a literature review and consultations with five groups of service users engaged in different forms of peer support.

Findings

The findings suggest that there are many benefits to service users from engaging in peer support. These include: shared identity; development and sharing of skills; increased confidence; improved mental health and wellbeing; and the potential for challenging stigma and discrimination. Most difficulties encountered were associated with “intentional peer support”, where service users are employed as peer support workers – these included role conflict, setting boundaries, and ensuring adequate training and support. A key theme that divided opinion was the degree to which peer support should be “professionalised” as part of statutory services.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that it is vital to acknowledge the different views about peer support that arise in different service user and voluntary sector groups: views about such core issues as payment, equality, and professionalisation. Ultimately, peer support arises from people wanting to create their own support networks; any plans to formalise it from within statutory services need to acknowledge that pre‐existing grassroots expertise.

Originality/value

Recent developments mean that peer support, which originated from the grassroots of service user experience, has taken a new direction through becoming incorporated into statutory services. This paper looks at some of the benefits and pitfalls of these developments informed by the views of service users.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2017

Tori Wolfendale and Angella Musaabi

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the implementation of a peer support volunteer scheme in a high secure setting and to explore the peer support volunteer’s…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the implementation of a peer support volunteer scheme in a high secure setting and to explore the peer support volunteer’s experiences conducting this role, based predominantly on an assertive rehabilitation ward.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has outlined the implementation of the peer support volunteer scheme in a high secure setting and has explored the peer support volunteer’s experiences conducting this role and has explored the views of newly transferred patients who have accessed this scheme. The peer support scheme is based predominantly on an assertive rehabilitation ward. The data have been collected through the completion of detailed questionnaires that have been disseminated to participants through the clinical team.

Findings

This paper has outlined the implementation of a peer support scheme on an assertive rehabilitation ward within a high secure forensic mental health setting. This paper has explored the role and experiences of a peer support volunteer on an assertive rehabilitation ward and has explored the experience from a service recipient’s perspective also through the completion of questionnaires. This paper has explored the overall benefits of peer support within mental health services to both the volunteer, staff members and to a patient newly admitted to the ward, and has identified the skills that the volunteer is able to develop following contribution in to the peer support scheme.

Practical implications

This paper has acknowledged that there have been challenges introducing this particular scheme into mental health service teams. Challenges have included establishing appropriate boundaries and dilution of the role due to power imbalances, both between the peer support volunteer and the service recipient, but also between the clinical team that supervises the overall peer support scheme (Christie, 2016). The clinical team within this particular ward have been mindful with regards to the approach that has been utilised and has therefore, included the service users within the overall development of the scheme to encompass the recovery principles, but have continued to review the progression as a team and have taken into consideration all aspects of relational security.

Originality/value

The paper relating to the implementation of the peer support volunteer scheme in a high secure setting has not been published before and is not under consideration for publication with another journal.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2012

Claire Ockwell

This paper aims to explain how the CAPITAL Project Trust established an inpatient peer support project in West Sussex.

413

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explain how the CAPITAL Project Trust established an inpatient peer support project in West Sussex.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper sets the project within local and historical contexts, seeking to explain some of the reasons for the growing interest in formal peer support, before explaining the methodology used to set up the project and the learning along the way. The author draws on evidence from evaluations to demonstrate the added value offered by inpatient peer support and argues for a peer defined set of values to underpin all peer support projects.

Findings

Models of inpatient peer support need to be flexible to both the individual talents of peer support workers and the cultures of the different wards in which they work.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the project demonstrates the value that can be added by independent peer support workers being placed on acute inpatient wards and the importance for service users of peer support being peer led.

Details

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-6228

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2012

Julie Repper and Emma Watson

In April 2010, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust won Regional Innovation Funding to recruit, train and employ six peer support workers in community mental health teams. At the…

498

Abstract

Purpose

In April 2010, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust won Regional Innovation Funding to recruit, train and employ six peer support workers in community mental health teams. At the time, practical examples of the employment of peer support workers were lacking in England. An earlier paper focuses on the lessons learned in this first year of peer support. The aim of this paper is to examine the nature and dynamics of peer support: what the peers did with clients and what difference this made.

Design/methodology/approach

The project was evaluated using a simple evaluation model reflecting service structure, processes and outcomes, collected through qualitative methods: documentary analysis, semi‐structured interviews and a focus group.

Findings

The six peers worked with 83 clients over the six month period. They offered emotional, practical, social support, support specific to care and support specific to recovery. They felt that the shared knowledge that they too had experienced mental health challenges was critical in engaging with clients in a trusting relationship and in informing their work.

Originality/value

In the absence of English service models for peer support workers, this paper provides some guidance for new peer support teams, and some evidence to support the helpful nature of peer support work.

Details

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-6228

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2017

David Crepaz-Keay

The purpose of this paper is to look at peer support in the context of broader communities.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at peer support in the context of broader communities.

Design/methodology/approach

It builds on the author’s experience working with the Mental Health Foundation of developing delivering and evaluating several self-management and peer support initiatives in a variety of settings with a range of different peer groups. It will consider what constitutes a peer and a community, and explore the notion of community solutions for community problems.

Findings

Peer support in community settings has the capacity to address social isolation, build skills and self-esteem and give individuals a better quality of life – it can also add value to whole communities and reframe the way entire groups are considered within them. It has the ability to be both more accessible and less stigmatising and thus reach more people. This also offers community based peer support as a contributor to preventing the deterioration of mental health and potentially reducing the impact of mental ill-health.

Social implications

The author needs to think more in terms of whole community and get better at improving how the author measures and articulates this community benefit. This will allow us to make better decisions about how best to apply resources for long term whole community gain. Peer support and peer leadership needs to be at the heart of this process.

Originality/value

This paper places a familiar approach in a different setting placing peer support firmly outside services and within comunities.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2018

Kyt Proctor, Rachael Wood and Katherine Newman-Taylor

A pilot project commissioned to assess feasibility and impact of peer support in an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service highlighted the importance of team readiness. The…

Abstract

Purpose

A pilot project commissioned to assess feasibility and impact of peer support in an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service highlighted the importance of team readiness. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the lessons learned in recognising and facilitating team readiness in an NHS setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature suggests that mental health teams need to be ready to implement peer support, if this is to be done successfully. The authors describe the process of preparing for peer support, obstacles that arose and ways that the team found to address these.

Findings

The team had actively sought to develop peer support for some time, and negotiated with Trust managers to agree these roles in principle. However, initially unspoken concerns about duty of care emerged as a key obstacle. An arguably paternalistic desire to protect potential peer worker colleagues from stress and distress could have resulted in unnecessary risk aversion and a narrowing of the role. Willingness and opportunity to reflect on the change in relationship from service user/professionals to colleagues enabled these concerns to be aired, and practical solutions agreed.

Practical implications

Team enthusiasm is not the same as team readiness. The team’s willingness to identify and reflect on implicit concerns facilitated an acceptance of the change in relationship with peer workers, which in turn enabled the development of standard operating procedures to ensure safe and effective peer support as “business as usual.”

Originality/value

This paper considers the process of welcoming peer workers in an EIP team and offers practical suggestions that may be of value to other teams seeking to implement peer support in similar adult mental health settings.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 12 June 2017

Emma Watson

2082

Abstract

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

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