What is a peer support group?
A peer support group is a group of people who have a first-hand understanding of a particular life situation or health issue, such as a long term condition. This may be from their own experience of as a parent, family member, friend or carer. Many people find that it helps to talk to someone who understands because they have been in the same situation.
How do groups run?
Peer support groups usually run independently and are organised by their members. However, sometimes professionals, such as healthcare workers, facilitate them. Groups vary in how they operate. Some elect a committee, have a bank account and put together a calendar of events and speakers; others are very informal. Membership numbers vary from a handful of people to over 100. Most groups hold regular meetings, some keep in contact by telephone, email or online groups and forums.
Why would I attend a group?
People attend groups for many different reasons. Some simply want information and will then move on, while others want to make sense of what is happening to them by talking to people who have been through a similar experience.
“I met people who had been there, done that and come out the other end!”
“In coming to the group, I did something for myself. In listening and sharing, I did something for others.”
It is important that support is there for people when they need it, whatever form it may take. That is what peer support groups provide. Self Help UK can support groups at any stage of their journey.
Self helpers believe:
- Peer support makes people’s experience count.
- People in difficult and challenging situations are able to help and support each other.
- People who share a common concern can offer unique mutual support.
- People have powerful inner resources.
- Ordinary people have extraordinary talents.
- People can deploy their own resources to address common difficulties.
- Pooling practical information and ways of coping increases people’s coping strategies and skills.
- Peer support benefits both the giver and the receiver of support.
- The receiver of support will in turn have the capacity to give support.
- Peer Support makes people’s experience count.
What are the benefits?
National Voices 2015 peer support review – “Peer Support: What is it and does it work?” – analysed over 1,000 research studies on peer support. It was found that peer support can help people feel more knowledgeable, confident and happy, and less isolated and alone.
Peer support improves:
- Individuals’ knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their health and care.
- Physical functioning and ability to self-care.
- Quality of life.
- Social functioning and perceived support.
Peer support is a growing field of research, with positive impact established in several different health conditions.
Further reading:
Supported Self Management: Peer Support Guide [NHS England publication]
