How do you measure peer support success?

1 Define your goals

The first step to measure peer support success is to define your goals and objectives. What are you trying to achieve with your peer support program? What are the specific outcomes you want to see for your peers, your organization, and your community? Having clear and realistic goals will help you plan your peer support activities, identify your indicators of success, and communicate your value to your stakeholders.

2 Choose your methods

The next step is to choose the methods and tools you will use to collect and analyze data on your peer support program. There are different types of methods you can use, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, case studies, or testimonials. You can also use quantitative or qualitative data, or a combination of both, depending on your goals and resources. The methods you choose should be appropriate, reliable, valid, and ethical, and should involve your peers and other relevant parties in the process.

3 Track your progress

The third step is to track your progress and monitor your results. You should collect data on a regular basis, such as before, during, and after your peer support activities, to measure the changes and impacts of your program. You should also compare your data with your baseline and your expected outcomes, and identify any gaps or challenges that need to be addressed. Tracking your progress will help you assess the effectiveness and efficiency of your peer support program and make adjustments as needed.

4 Share your findings

The fourth step is to share your findings and celebrate your achievements. You should communicate your results and feedback to your peers, your organization, your funders, and your community, using clear and accessible language and formats. You should also highlight the strengths and successes of your peer support program, as well as the challenges and lessons learned. Sharing your findings will help you demonstrate the value and impact of your peer support program and build trust and support for your work.

5 Learn and improve

The final step is to learn and improve from your evaluation. You should use the data and feedback you collected to reflect on your peer support practice, identify what works and what doesn't, and make changes or improvements as needed. You should also seek input and feedback from your peers and other stakeholders on how to enhance your peer support program and meet their needs and expectations. Learning and improving from your evaluation will help you grow and develop as a peer supporter and deliver better services and outcomes for your peers.

6 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?