What unique skills can you offer as a Peer Support consultant?

2 Lived experience and role modeling

Another unique skill that you can offer as a Peer Support consultant is your lived experience and role modeling. Lived experience means that you have gone through similar situations or challenges as your clients, and can relate to their struggles and aspirations. Role modeling means that you can demonstrate how you have overcome obstacles, learned from mistakes, and achieved your goals, and inspire your clients to do the same. By sharing your lived experience and role modeling, you can provide hope, motivation, and guidance to your clients, and show them that change is possible and attainable.

3 Advocacy and empowerment

A third skill that you can offer as a Peer Support consultant is advocacy and empowerment. Advocacy means that you can speak up for your clients' rights, interests, and preferences, and help them access the resources and services they need. Empowerment means that you can help your clients discover their strengths, values, and goals, and encourage them to take charge of their own lives and decisions. By advocating and empowering, you can help your clients overcome barriers, challenges, and stigma, and promote their autonomy, dignity, and well-being.

4 Communication and feedback

A fourth skill that you can offer as a Peer Support consultant is communication and feedback. Communication means that you can convey your messages clearly, respectfully, and effectively to your clients, and use different methods and tools to suit their preferences and needs. Feedback means that you can give and receive constructive and honest feedback to your clients, and use it to improve your practice and outcomes. By communicating and giving feedback, you can foster a collaborative and transparent relationship with your clients, and enhance your mutual learning and growth.

5 Flexibility and creativity

A fifth skill that you can offer as a Peer Support consultant is flexibility and creativity. Flexibility means that you can adapt to changing circumstances, needs, and expectations of your clients, and cope with uncertainty and ambiguity. Creativity means that you can think outside the box, generate new ideas, and find innovative solutions to problems. By being flexible and creative, you can respond to the diverse and dynamic needs of your clients, and offer them tailored and personalized support.

6 Self-care and boundaries

A sixth skill that you can offer as a Peer Support consultant is self-care and boundaries. Self-care means that you can take care of your own physical, mental, and emotional health, and balance your personal and professional life. Boundaries mean that you can set and respect the limits of your role, time, and energy, and avoid overstepping or overcommitting. By practicing self-care and boundaries, you can protect yourself from burnout, stress, and compassion fatigue, and maintain your integrity, professionalism, and quality of service.

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?