Peer recovery hub

Creating Hope with Peer Support

We’re collaborating with local and national suicide prevention partners to boost community-based peer support groups and services.

Creating Hope with Peer Support is a national project. We partner with people and communities across Scotland to focus on embedding peer support as a vital part of suicide prevention. Scottish Government and COSLA Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan Creating Hope Together recognises the valuable contribution of peer support.

Time space compassion and hope

Peer support has a vital role to play in suicide prevention. We know that there are risk factors that can heighten a person’s risk of suicide: social isolation, mental and physical health, gender, difficult life events, and experiencing stigma and discrimination as part of a marginalised group. Peer support is a way for people to connect with others with similar experiences. Providing a space where people can share, feel listened to, and explore what could help them find hope.

Peer support helps people to see that they are not alone. It contributes to making sure people receive help at the earliest opportunity. Supporting those who are in the midst of crisis or have survived their own attempt. It ensures the right support is there for people, their families and anyone affected by suicide, at the right time. 

Sharing practice

Co-deliver a workshop

Our practical workshop builds people’s skills and confidence in developing supportive peer relationships with people affected by suicide. It’s for peer workers and people with lived experience interested in developing peer support skills. If you’re an group, organisation or service that would be interested in co-delivering with us get in touch

I feel empowered and confident to tackle difficult scenarios. More knowledgeable. Discussion between facilitators and peers incredibly constructive.

Workshop participant

Free resources

The Creating Hope with Peer Support resource is co-designed with those already delivering peer support within suicide prevention. It was co-developed through workshops with organisations and then piloted during a 2-day session in Perth. The resource uses the Creating Hope with Peer Support Pathway – Connect, Explore, Hope and Support – to guide peer relationships, drawing from real experiences.

Further development of the resource includes the creation of four practice guides: Creating Safe Spaces, Navigating Discomfort in the Peer Relationship, Supporting People Experiencing Distress and Exploring Safety and Risk.