In 2019, as I was approaching the end of my discharge from the Early Intervention Service (EIS), I began to form the idea that perhaps through peer support, I could share my own story of psychosis and my journey to recovery to help others feel less alone. However, I was filled with many doubts, ‘Would I be good enough? What if no one wants peer support? What if no one finds it useful? Will it be too distressing for me to hear other people’s stories?
However, from the moment that I put my idea forward for volunteering my time to offer peer support, I have had nothing but complete support from the EIS team. My care co-ordinator at the time was very encouraging and quickly helped set up a meeting so I could put forward my ideas to other members of the team. Despite feeling quite nervous about meeting everyone, I was made to feel very welcome. I felt that I was listened too and that my personal experience of psychosis was valued. It was so encouraging to receive such positive feedback and enthusiasm from the team. This positive response really helped to raise my confidence and belief in my ability to help develop an exciting new volunteer peer support service which would make a positive difference to those affected by psychosis.
After my discharge from EIS, I was allocated a supervisor to support me on my peer support journey. I was also promptly placed on the NHS induction training course which enabled me to begin volunteering as soon as possible. My first peer support session was in January 2020 alongside the service user’s care co-ordinator. The session went really well and I was very happy to hear that the service user as well as their care co-ordinator had found it helpful. I went on to do 11 more face to face peer support sessions over the next few months. It was really exciting to see this new service develop and to even have another peer support volunteer (Chris) join the team.
Unfortunately, just as peer support began to really take off, this new service was put on hold by the pandemic. However, myself and Chris were still supported through online team meetings with our supervisors to find alternative ways to offer peer support safely. This included doing online sessions with service users and carers groups as well as creating a recovery booklet to share our personal stories of psychosis and recovery with others.
The wonderful supervision received throughout has been crucial in the success of developing the peer support service. Regular supervision has given me the opportunity to discuss how peer support is going, to reflect on the experience and to find ways to improve the service.
Supervision has also been key in ensuring that my own mental health and wellbeing needs are been met when offering peer support. For example, I was encouraged to complete an ‘Employees Wellbeing Plan’ with my supervisor. This plan outlined things such as; ensuring that I always have the opportunity after a peer support session to have a debrief with the care co-ordinator to allow time for reflection and to discuss any issues raised. This has been extremely helpful and has made me feel very supported throughout my peer support journey.
As well as great supervision, I have also really appreciated been made to feel like part of the EIS team. I have been invited to attend staff meetings, staff training and encouraged to complete additional training including the ‘Mental Health First Aid’ course to develop my skills further. I was also very touched to receive a card and gift from the team last Christmas to show their appreciation for the work I’d put into peer support.
The only difficulty I came across during the development of this new role was the delay in expenses been paid. I was also issued cheques which I could only cash in my nearest building society. However, this issue has been raised and a new process for the payment of expenses has been introduced which will allow payment straight into my bank account.
Overall, the process of helping to develop the new EIS peer support service has been really positive and extremely rewarding. Since the easing of restrictions, we are now able to continue offering socially distanced face to face peer support alongside online sessions and we are beginning to see the number of referrals increase. I feel very hopeful and excited about the future of peer support within EIS and the positive impact it will have for those recovering from psychosis.
