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New guide to help peer support groups get started

Peer support creates opportunities for people to connect through shared experiences, build understanding and offer mutual support. It can make a powerful contribution to mental health recovery and has an important role to play in suicide prevention.

At Scottish Recovery Network, we believe there is real power in sharing experiences in a mutual and supportive way. Our new Getting Started: Developing Peer Support Groups resource has been created to help people turn that potential into practice.

The resource offers practical information, tools and ideas for people interested in developing peer support groups. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to build on an existing group, it provides a starting point while leaving room for your own ideas and creativity.

Developing a group also means thinking about what makes peer support work well, including the importance of boundaries. As one Peer Worker reflects:

You can’t be everything to everyone. It’s really important to know your own boundaries.

Lived experience is at the heart of the resource. It has been co-developed with people involved in facilitating and taking part in peer support groups and activities across Scotland, bringing their knowledge and experience into the guidance.

It’s also designed to be interactive, with tools, templates and case studies to help you plan activities, shape your group and think about what will work for the people involved.

Explore the resource

If you’re thinking about developing a peer support group, this guide can help you take the next steps while keeping the values of peer support at the centre.

We’d love to hear how you’re using the resource and learn from your experiences, ideas and reflections. Get in touch with us or join the conversation on social media using #PeerSupportScot.