Peer Mentor Volunteers

Peer Mentors use their own lived experience of mental health challenges to support, guide, and encourage others who could benefit from connecting with someone with shared life experience.

We value your experience

Living with mental health needs can often lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Connecting with someone who truly understands, because they have been affected by similar challenges, can make a big difference. We all know the power of hearing “I get that” or “I really feel you.”

Peer Connections is a one-to-one mentoring project across Somerset that brings together people to give and receive support. We help individuals living with mental illness feel less alone and see a path forward. The project is focused on helping people with their overall health and wellbeing.

We are looking for volunteers in Somerset who are interested in becoming Peer Mentors. In this role, you and the person you support will share lived or living experience, working together over a time-limited period to achieve individual health and wellbeing goals through regular conversations.

Becoming a Peer Mentor Volunteer can be a deeply rewarding experience. It’s a chance to connect with others, use your experiences to support someone else’s journey, find a sense of purpose, or gain valuable experience and confidence for employment. Your experiences are a powerful tool that can help others with similar struggles. Peer mentoring can also be a helpful way to support your own recovery, as well as those you are helping.

What We Provide to Volunteers

Reimbursement of costs
Ongoing support

What We Ask of Volunteers

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Want to know more about the work of Peer Mentor Volunteers? Read a Peer Mentor’s story on our blog: Meet the Team: Sharon & Alex

About Peer Connections

The Peer Connections team is made up of dedicated Peer Mentors who use their lived experience to walk alongside others on their recovery journey. You can download our Peer Connections leaflet here.

Peer Connections recruits new volunteers periodically throughout the year. If you are interested in becoming a Peer Mentor Volunteer, please contact us to learn more about the service and how you can get involved.

The challenges I’ve been through I can see from a different perspective. Being a peer mentor has helped me to learn and continue to grow as well as knowing I’m able to help others.