Sometimes it can be confusing for those not working in healthcare to understand the roles of those who are looking after others. With this in mind, mental health colleagues started a project to breakdown the roles and responsibilities of peer support workers across east London, Bedfordshire and Luton.
Peer support workers are people who use their lived experiences of challenges with mental health to provide emotional and practical support to others along their recovery journey. In the series’ opening episode, this was explained in detail along with a brief history of the profession.
Across the four episodes to-date, colleagues have discussed:
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The core principles of peer support
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Ways to become a peer support worker
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Testimonies from a peer support worker and a service user from different perspectives
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The differences between supporting service users in the community and on inpatient wards
The podcast was created by Amanda Lowe, peer Support Lead for City and Hackney. It was produced and directed by Music Therapist Nick Paravatos. Katie Williams, the Trust Lead Occupational Therapist, provided guidance and the 'go-ahead' for the series.
Commenting on the launch of the series, Amanda Lowe said: “I am happy to be working on this project and spreading the powerful message of peer support. This role can act as a preventative measure against ill mental health and play a crucial role in support service users along their recovery journey.
“As seen in the podcast series, many of our peer support workers are writing a new narrative in their lives, while helping others as well.”