Making Peer Practical: What Scott Gallagher of Wheatley Care did next!
You’ve completed the programme, built connections, shared insights, and earned your certificate but what’s next?
Making Peer Practical is a development programme supporting people to plan and implement their peer support ideas. It brings people together from different organisations and services, who take part in a range of sessions and group learning. One-to-one mentoring support and free resources are also provided as a way to kickstart participants’ peer support planning.
But what happens after the last session of the programme? When you’re back at your organisation and keen to put your learning into action?
Scott’s story
Scott Gallagher joined Making Peer Practical as he was looking for connections and opportunities for his new role as a Communities and Activities Engagement Worker at Wheatley Care’s Fullerton Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD) service in Glasgow. It is an independent living residential service providing support over a two-year period for people with a history of alcohol or drug misuse that has led to a diagnosis of ARBD.
Scott believes in empowerment and the potential to live a good life. This leads his every action and interaction. Committed to developing his role in offering peer support, Scott joined Making Peer Practical as a way to meet others involved in peer support and develop his own learning and experience.
I built connections and felt part of something. Knowing that support is there has helped me be clear about what my journey is here and I’m able to get ideas from people who are already established.
Wheatley Care is feeling the impact of Scott’s work. People are noticing Scott’s approach. His colleagues and manager were keen to learn from what he is doing and the role peer support plays.
Scott has linked in with other Making Peer Practical participants and has extended his own network and opened more opportunities for the people he works with. ARBD residents are now actively participating in the work of the Mental Health Network (Greater Glasgow and Clyde). They’re finding their voices, building confidence, and developing new skills. Inspired by the Network’s powerful approach to storytelling, Scott developed a project in collaboration with the residents. The project uses pictures as a way to help people share their recovery journeys, empowering themselves, supporting one another, and inspiring future residents.
Scott developed the activity groups and focused on how to encourage peer support amongst people attending. He has done this through creating peer volunteer roles to inspire people moving into the service and show that there is hope and possibilities, that there is life beyond an ARBD diagnosis. Scott believes that having a purpose in life is transformational.
Recognising the importance of supporting peer volunteers, Scott tapped into Peer2Peer training with The Restart Project in Glasgow. A resident is currently enjoying their experience on the course and they are looking to a future of volunteering in the ARBD service once they move on. Through working with peer volunteers, Scott is developing the service’s approach to supporting volunteers.
Sharing the learning
Due to what Scott has learned on Making Peer Practical, his colleagues are keen to know more. His manager approached Scottish Recovery Network to explore how peer approaches could impact the work of the organisation. She has also shared with senior management the changes she witnesses in Scott’s work. Scott was invited to share his experience with Wheatley Care’s Leadership Team and hopes to be part of the future of making peer support more available.
Scott reached out, in a new role not knowing where it would take him. He has met new people, shared experiences and benefitted from the wisdom of others. Now he is doing the same for others, and showing that there is hope, that leading a life you want is possible, and the power of having purpose in your life.
We’ll be sharing more examples of ‘What Making Peer Practical participants did next?’ in future newsletters
You might also be interested in Making Peer Practical: What Specialist Resource Solutions did next!
Do you have a peer support idea you need development help with? Get in touch
