How do you make peer support credible in different contexts?

1 Define your goals

Before you start any peer support activity, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you will measure your success. What are the needs and expectations of your target audience? What are the benefits and risks of peer support for them? How will you evaluate the outcomes and impact of your peer support? Having a well-defined goal will help you design and deliver your peer support in a way that is relevant, appropriate, and credible for your context.

2 Choose your format

Depending on your goal, you can choose from different formats of peer support, such as one-to-one, group, or network. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you need to consider the feasibility, accessibility, and suitability of each one for your context. For example, one-to-one peer support can offer more personalized and confidential support, but it may also require more time and resources. Group peer support can foster a sense of belonging and mutual learning, but it may also pose challenges in managing group dynamics and diversity. Network peer support can leverage the power of social media and online platforms, but it may also raise issues of quality, safety, and privacy.

3 Establish your guidelines

To make your peer support credible, you need to have clear and consistent guidelines that define the roles, responsibilities, and boundaries of your peer supporters and participants. These guidelines should cover topics such as confidentiality, consent, communication, feedback, referral, and supervision. They should also reflect the values and principles of peer support, such as respect, empathy, honesty, and empowerment. By having clear guidelines, you can ensure that your peer support is ethical, professional, and respectful of the rights and preferences of your peers.

4 Train your peer supporters

Your peer supporters are the key to the success of your peer support. They need to have the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide effective and credible peer support. You should provide them with adequate training and support to prepare them for their role and to enhance their confidence and competence. Your training should cover topics such as peer support models, techniques, ethics, challenges, and resources. You should also provide them with ongoing supervision and feedback to monitor their performance and address any issues or concerns.

5 Engage your participants

Your participants are the reason why you do peer support. You need to engage them in a way that is meaningful, relevant, and respectful of their needs and preferences. You should use various strategies to attract, retain, and motivate your participants, such as outreach, promotion, incentives, recognition, and evaluation. You should also create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for your participants, where they can express themselves freely, share their experiences, learn from each other, and access relevant information and resources.

6 Adapt to your context

Your context is the setting where you do peer support. It can be online, offline, formal, or informal, and it can influence the effectiveness and credibility of your peer support. You need to adapt to your context and be flexible and responsive to the changes and challenges that may arise. You should consider the opportunities and limitations of your context, such as the availability of technology, the accessibility of services, the diversity of cultures, and the expectations of stakeholders. You should also seek feedback and evidence from your peers and partners to improve your peer support and to demonstrate its value and impact.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?