Drawing on evidence and applied practice from the fields of positive psychology and coaching psychology, The Peer wellbeing programme is designed to train up young people to be able to support one another in maintaining and improving their mental health.

 

Why Peer Support?

Peer support programmes in schools, colleges, universities and youth groups have been shown to provide effective early support that can help to identify mental health and emotional wellbeing problems and can prevent them from escalating. One reason for this is because when young people need help or support for mental health or emotional issues one of the main places they would turn to for support is a friend.

 

How does the programme work?

The Peer Wellbeing programme is typically delivered over 8 weeks and consists of four key elements:

 

1. Mental health awareness

 

Young people will develop their understanding about what mental health is and explore how to build positive mental health in themselves and their peers.

 

 2. Training in coaching skills

Young people will learn and develop key coaching skills such as active listening, empathy, how to support and empower others.

 

3. Boundaries of the role

Young people will explore boundaries and responsibilities including confidentiality and safeguarding, to ensure they understand the limits of their role and are providing support in a safe way.  

 

4. How to leading wellbeing initiatives

Young people will learn how to design and deliver their own wellbeing initiatives. 

 

At the end of the peer wellbeing programme your young people will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide appropriate wellbeing support to their peers such as 1-1 mentoring with younger peers, developing mental health resources and running mental health events. We will support you and your young people to design wellbeing initiatives that are best suited to your setting. 

 

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