A day in the life of a Peer Support Worker: One of those make or break visits

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
One To One ◽  
Narrative Account ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience of being a peer support worker (PSW). Design/methodology/approach – Narrative account of a one to one meeting with a peer written from the perspective of a PSW. Findings – Key reflections centre on the importance of establishing and maintaining boundaries, the role of trust, and a different understanding of what constitutes risk. Originality/value – While there is a great deal written about the theory of peer support work, little is published about PSWs experience. This paper provides important insights into the nature of peer support work.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: a visit

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
One To One ◽  
Narrative Account ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into a day in the life of a peer support worker (PSW). Design/methodology/approach – Narrative account of a visit written from the perspective of a PSW. Findings – Reflective account, no findings presented. Originality/value – An original viewpoint from the perspective of a PSW in a one-to-one setting, very little has previously been published using this approach.

A day in the life of a Peer Support Worker: training day

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 116-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Personal Account ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Worker Training ◽  
The People ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience of being a peer support worker: a day providing training for new peer support workers. Design/methodology/approach – A reflective personal account of a day in the authors work sent as a trainer on a peer support worker training course. Findings – The critical value of co-production. Training is not about an “expert” imparting their wisdom – the answers are in the room. To provide training is to continue to learn. Research limitations/implications – One person's account of their experience of providing peer support worker training. Practical implications – Modelling that which is valued rather than simply telling people. A recovery focus must extend to colleagues as well as the people we serve. Originality/value – While there is a great deal written about the theory of peer support work, little is published about peer support workers experience. This paper provides important insights into the nature of peer support work.

Just a peer finding my way in a crisis house

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlina May Whitmore
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
One To One ◽  
Learning Points ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share reflections and key learning points from the experience of offering peer support within a crisis house setting. Design/methodology/approach A reflective account of experiences of offering one-to-one peer support and the learning that has been taken from these experiences. Findings Key reflections centre on the importance of being emotionally honest and supporting personal well-being while offering peer support. Originality/value While there is a great deal written about the theory of peer support work, few first persons accounts of peer working have been published. This paper provides important insights into the nature of peer support work.

Why I chose to leave mainstream psychiatric services: a peer supporter’s personal perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Psychiatric Services ◽  
Personal Perspective ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Moral Conflicts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Narrative Account

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of a paid peer support worker (PSW) working on an acute ward within mainstream psychiatric services. Design/methodology/approach A PSW’s reflective and narrative account of working in an acute ward setting over a 12-month period. Findings Working as a paid PSW within mainstream services can create personal moral conflicts and challenges which can sometimes compromise individual authenticity and integrity. Originality/value This paper is written from a personal perspective and as such is highly original.

Compassion and what can happen to it: reflections of a peer support worker

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-125
Author(s):  
Sue Williams
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inpatient Ward ◽  
Narrative Account

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide some reflections on how easily compassion can be eroded on a busy inpatient ward and ways in which it might be restored. Design/methodology/approach – Narrative account. Findings – Reflective account, no findings presented. Originality/value – An original viewpoint concerning compassion, its importance, how it can become eroded and ways in which it might be restored from the perspective of a peer support worker.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: endings

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Reflective Approach ◽  
Support Relationships ◽  
Narrative Account

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of a day in the life of a peer support worker based within an NHS trust and to use these experiences as a basis for reflection on key issues in recovery focused practice and peer support. Design/methodology/approach – A reflective approach is used to consider the experience of ending peer support relationships and the emotion which this creates for both parties. Findings – Reflections are offered relating to boundaires, grieving and the experience of endings within peer support and other contexts. Originality/value – As a narrative account of the experience of a peer support worker, this paper adds to the small number of reflective pieces in this area.

Our recovery journey: two stories of change within Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Skipper ◽  
Kirsty Page
Keyword(s):  
College Student ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
First Person ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Lead ◽  
Narrative Account

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's journey of developing more recovery-focused services from two perspectives: that of the Trust project lead for recovery and that of a Recovery College Student and Peer Support Worker. Design/methodology/approach – First person, narrative account from the Trust project lead for recovery and that of a Recovery College Student and Peer Support Worker. Findings – Reflective account describing process and progress made towards establishing a Recovery College and Peer Support Worker Posts in Clinical Teams. Originality/value – An original viewpoint on the process of developing more recovery-focused services.

Round two in peer support – personal reflections

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Journey ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Personal Reflections ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – In April 2011, Nottinghamshire NHS trust created ten substantive peer support worker (PSW) posts following from a pilot project the previous year. Having learnt some valuable lessons from the pilot project, taking on new roles in in-patient settings involved development and learning from everybody involved. The aim of this paper is to provide an insight into this experience from the perspective of the PSW themselves. Design/methodology/approach – A personal narrative of the next stage of peer support is provided by a PSW employed by Nottingham NHS Trust. The learning journey, originally given as a presentation at Nottingham NHR Recovery demonstration day, is described in terms of the truths of peer support (PS). Findings – The role of PSW requires constant questioning, facing dilemmas and challenging situations. The second year of PS was a time in which the PSWs met these dilemmas and found their own solutions. The process has not been entirely easy for PSWs, all of whom have had to face situations, care settings and people that demand an unwavering focus on recovery and a compassionate understanding of each other as a team. Although the year has delivered challenges to the PS team, the process of learning from these and growing as a team has been highly rewarding. Originality/value – This is a unique personal reflection of the processes involved in developing a peer support relationship. This will be of interest to those planning to implement this process in the NHS or those who hope to work within a PS team.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: Melinda

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 176-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Boundary Issues ◽  
Narrative Account ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into a day in the life of a peer support worker. Design/methodology/approach – Narrative account and analysis of the boundary challenges and “boundary issues” raised by work with a client. Findings – Reflective account, no findings presented. Originality/value – An original viewpoint on the challenges and “boundary issues” raised in the work of a peer support worker.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: re-entry

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-152
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Returning To Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of a peer support worker over the course of a day working in mental health services. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative approach has been taken to structure reflections based on the experience of returning to work after taking sick leave. Findings – Reflections are offered based on the process of returning to work and the way that this experience sheds light on personal recovery. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of peer support working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document