Peer Connections
Do you experience challenges with your mental health? Peer Connections is a free peer mentoring service that offers support to anyone aged 18+ and living in Somerset who experiences challenges with their mental health.
What is Peer Mentoring?
Peer Mentoring usually takes place between a person who has lived through a specific experience (Peer Mentor) and a person who is new to that experience or feels they would like support (Peer Mentee). Peer mentoring provides individuals who have faced or are facing a specific life experience the chance to learn from those who have recovered from a similar experience. It can also be incredibly helpful to those giving peer support.
Talk to a mentor who understands
A peer mentor will listen to you without judgment. They will offer you support based on their own lived experience, and give you the opportunity to think about what you’d like to achieve and share ideas that have worked for them. If you are offered an annual physical health check by your GP — a peer mentor can support you to understand and make sense of what it is, and help you to work through any fears you may have. You might not have had this type of support before, but you may find it useful
How it works
- We will arrange an introduction between you and one of our peer mentor volunteers. This will be a mentor with similar experiences to you.
- Once an introduction is made between you and your mentor, we will arrange a time that works for you both so your mentoring conversations can begin.
- Mentoring can take place on the phone, online in virtual meetings, or face-to-face. You will be offered at least six conversations.
- We welcome referrals through Open Mental Health partner organisations including Mindline 24/7, any health professional or organisation you are in contact with, or you can contact us yourself.
- All of our peer mentors are volunteers and want to help others who have been in the same position as them
The Benefits of Peer Mentoring
- Increased understanding or insight into mental health issues
- Improved coping strategies
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- An increase in hopefulness
- Increased social activities and / or involvement in the wider community
How and when mentoring sessions take place
Mentoring sessions can take place over the phone or virtual meetings via TEAMs or Zoom, we will offer in-person meetings. These will take place in a community space and never in the mentee or mentors’ home. Mentoring sessions will generally take place during the week Monday – Friday 9am – 7pm. All mentees will receive guidance before any meetings take place.
Learn more
If you would more information, please contact Sue Hunter, Project Manager, at susan.hunter@rethink.org.
Become a Peer Mentor
We are always looking for individuals with lived experience of mental health difficulties to help to support others going through a similar experience. Peer support can be really beneficial for both mentor and mentee.
