Discovering your potential. Peer-led learning in the Highlands
Peer Supporter Sarah and Discovery College Manager Donna recently spoke at our Peer Connects event. Here’s a snapshot of what they said.
For the first in our series of we brought over 50 people together online to explore peer-led learning and the difference it makes. The session included spotlight conversations with guests from two recovery colleges in different parts of Scotland. If you missed the event don’t worry as we have pulled together the from participant discussions.
Keep an eye out in next month’s as we’ll be sharing resources to help you have conversations around peer-led learning in your group, service or organisation.
Discovery College Highlands
Last month we shared insights from North Ayrshire on the positive power of peer-led learning. This month we’re shining the spotlight on the growing activity in the Highlands which is being enhanced by the newly opened Discovery College
This initiative run by mental health charity centred provides a range of learning opportunities to support individuals mental health, wellbeing and overall quality of life. There are a range of courses available which are co-developed and co-delivered by subject experts, peer supporters, and individuals with lived experience.
Sarah’s story
With her confidence at an all-time low, Sarah attended a peer support training opportunity delivered by HUG Action for Mental Health. This experience led to her becoming a Peer Supporter at Discovery College. She describes being able to learn in a safe and non-judgemental environment with others who she knew had their own personal struggles.
Learning was made so much easier, and connections and friendships were made.
I haven’t regretted one single second of my journey to becoming a Peer Supporter. The more I helped people the more I seemed to get from what we were doing; this follows me through to where I am now in my Peer Supporter role.
Sarah, Peer Supporter, Discovery College
Sarah went on to say
I’m helping others by supporting their learning, making sure they know I’m here if they have any problems. If they do come to me they know I can fully empathise with them. I want to promote hope amongst anyone who signs up onto our courses and bring them into a warm welcoming community that is the Discovery College.
Sarah, Peer Supporter, Discovery College
Donna’s story
Donna is the Manager at the Discovery College. She explained that collaboration is key to the approach and that lived experience sits at the centre of college activities.
The college works with people to co-develop the programme which includes in-person and online opportunities. Courses include: Making Space for Me, Suicide Intervention and Prevention, Managing Your Inner Critic, Money Counts, Self-Care Sessions and more.
Donna commented:
There are so many excellent people and organisations in the Highlands who are all hoping to help. At the Discovery College we work closely with several partners. Some of our courses are delivered by these partners, such as the NHS and the Samaritans but a condition of running these courses is that they are approved and supported by our peer support team. This ensures that the programme we are delivering is what our students are looking for.
Donna, Discovery College Manager
Scottish Recovery Network forth-coming events
Thanks to all the fab folks who have already been involved in our Peer Connects series of online events. There’s two more on the horizon so make sure to book your place.
Peer Connects 2: peer support in services and crisis support: 16 November
Do you have an interest in developing different types of peer support in mental health services? Are you passionate about the role that lived experience can play in crisis support in the community? Don’t miss this chance to get together to chat about the emerging themes, issues and opportunities.
Along with others, Ross Mackie, Team Manager from NHS Borders Adult Community Mental Health Service and Wendy Given, Chief Operational Officer from The Neuk, a third sector peer-led mental health crisis centre in Perth, will talk about their approaches.
Peer Connects 3: getting the most out of peer support training: 8 February 2024
Being confident in our understating of peer support and how we use our experiences is an important part of being an effective peer supporter. What’s out there to help you develop as an individual or as an organisation? How can you get the most out of what’s available to enhance your peer support practice? What knowledge and experiences do you have to share?
Log in to this event and be part of the conversation as we hear from Independent Living Support Dumfries and others who have co-designed and co-delivered peer support training opportunities. Book your place
