A unique Trust-backed service offering support to peer workers across County Durham has officially been launched.
The County Durham Peer Support Network is open to anyone working in peer-related roles within the NHS, as well as those in the voluntary and community sectors.
“This is the first service of its kind in the county and has been fully co-created between our Trust and local community groups,” said organiser and peer co-ordinator Katy Hennon.
“We all recognise just what a key role peer workers play in the care we provide, and we want to make sure that they have access to any support they might need in their roles.”
Lived experience is key to success
The launch of the network was held at Ramside Hall, Durham, and included guest speakers from support group Manhealth and mental health resource centre Waddington Street.
Peer workers from across the county attended the event, which was sponsored by North East together – a regional network for people with lived experience of mental health.
“The launch was the first step in co-creating a strong membership for the network, providing support for peer workers and bringing so many skills and peer values together,” said Katy.
“The network will provide a space for peer workers to come together, share best practice and ideas to help strengthen the peer support services across the County Durham area.
“We are all very excited to see this network develop. Peer workers across the county are doing an amazing job and we want to offer them a space to connect.”
Peer workers add “something unique” to services
Peer workers – people with lived experience of mental health challenges – are employed across the Trust to support patients, carers and families involved with our services.
More than three dozen are now working with services such as in-patients, community rehab, health and justice and Early Intervention in Psychosis, and more posts are being planned.
“Our peer workers add something unique to services. The passion and commitment they have is amazing, and we are very proud of them,” said Trust-wide professional head of peer work Mark Allan.
“Peer support can have a profound impact on lives, due to people bringing their own lived experience expertise to the roles. They support others, and we want to support them.”
Exciting step in lived experience journey
Creating a supportive community for peer workers is a key aim of the network – by offering a platform to share ideas, support one another and talk about examples of good practice.
“The network is another exciting step in the journey of lived experience and its importance in getting the right support for people,” said Trust lived experience director Chris Morton.
“Lived experience and peer support recognises and holds relationships as central to effective care and support. Networks like this are those relationships at scale, bringing peer supporters together, sharing best practice and enhancing support for those that need it most.
“It was incredible to join the launch, see the passion and hear the stories of those who have been affected by their mental health and now want to use these experiences to help others.”
- If you are interested in joining the new network, contact Katy for further details at: [email protected]
