The Neuk – A Safe Place
An independent evaluation, of this peer-led mental health crisis centre in Perth, highlights the profound and meaningful impact it has on people accessing support.
We’ve been reading the with interest and excitement. It’s a great example of how a peer-led approach can ensure people have ongoing access to crisis support. Supporting those who need it in a person-centred, compassionate and recovery focused way.
The researchers (Social Research Solutions) concluded:
The analysis of service user interviews illustrates the often profound and meaningful impact that the Neuk has had on its service users. It is important to realise the context of their engagement as being in mental health crisis.
The non-medical, peer-led approach to support that the Neuk provides, within a homely setting that is open every day of the year was a consistently important aspect of the service, to service users.
The Neuk’s engagement activities consistently highlight that what works best for people are services where they:
- Are seen as a whole person
- Can build trusting relationships with people who understand
- Experience validation and compassion and they have choices
More focus on peer support including more peer workers is fundamental to achieving this.
The Neuk is an example of what peer-led approaches can achieve. The new future for a truly person centred, trauma informed and recovery focused mental health system.
We need to learn from this and work together to make sure that services like this become part of the mainstream way we provide mental health support.
Louise Christie, Director Scottish Recovery Network
Sharing is caring
Scottish Recovery Network knows that there are many great examples of peer support out there to learn from. Over the next year we will collect, collate and share lots of examples of peer support in action! We would love you to get involved!
- Tell us about your peer support project or service by emailing info@scottishrecovery.net
- Learn about peer support in Scotland and beyond by
