Young adults aged 16-25 living in Somerset can benefit from peer support for their mental health through We’ve Got This. Open Mental Health partners FUSE Performance, Young Somerset, 2BU, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP), Minehead Eye and Conquest Centre provide peer mentors and offer a wide range of support and activities for this OMH-funded project.
The idea is to help young adults feel more positive about themselves. Participants are empowered to improve their lives and mental health in fun, safe, and purposeful environments.
Powered by Peers
The We’ve Got This peer mentors work with young adults to help them talk about what they feel and experience. Each peer mentor has their own areas of interest, and participants are matched up with peers who’ve shared similar challenges, experiences, and situations.
Peer mentors draw on their lived experience to offer guidance and build relationships. By acting as an encouraging, friendly role model and sharing knowledge, they help young people achieve their goals and introduce them to helpful ideas and approaches. Watch this video to learn more about the We’ve Got This mentors.
Solidarity and Community
When we struggle with our feelings, we can feel isolated, but peer mentors can reassure young people that they’re not alone in dealing with difficult emotions and thoughts. The We’ve Got This project helps participants develop a sense of community and belonging by providing young people with opportunities to connect and build positive social networks.
Empowerment and Self-esteem
Peer mentors help participants recognise and value their individual strengths. Personalised support and understanding build relationships where young people feel valued and heard.
Working with a peer mentor and participating in group activities that encourage young people to believe in themselves and feel more hopeful about the future boosts self-esteem and gives a sense of empowerment and self-confidence.
A We’ve Got This Journey
One client, who we will call Sam, found out about We’ve Got This through a wellbeing officer at college. At the time, he was struggling with his mental health. “I felt like I needed some sort of support and someone I knew I could talk to freely.”
Sam was experiencing periods of feeling very low, lacked confidence and had limited self-belief. He said he felt lost and needed some focus as well as help to improve his mood and build self-confidence.
Sam had weekly meetings with his peer mentor, and a trusting relationship grew while they were out and about. Their conversations allowed Sam to talk about how he was feeling.
Sam said, “I was paired with a mentor and working with him was great. I especially liked how my mentor worked with me.”
With his peer mentor’s support, Sam was able to access community groups. Without encouragement, Sam would have lacked the confidence to join. But, through participation, his confidence grew to the point that the mentor could step away and Sam attended sessions alone.
“The thing I enjoyed was the opportunity my mentor gave me which has given me a new passion and something to focus on,” Sam said.“I feel like my journey through the project has helped a lot in many aspects, from my confidence to my overall mood.”