The service offers mental health peer support for people who experience emotional and interpersonal difficulties, often associated with a diagnosis of personality disorder, who would benefit from meeting with others – individually and in groups – to give and gain support based on a shared understanding of their emotional mental health needs.
The service is suitable for people who may experience intense feelings of emotional distress, such as anger, anxiety, very low mood or rollercoaster feelings. They may also feel that their lives are chaotic and/or relationships are unstable, which can have a significant impact on relationships and other factors, such as education and employment. Individuals may also self-harm or use alcohol and/or drugs as coping strategies.
Who is it for?
The Peer Support service is available to people:
- aged 18 years and over
- who live in Kensington & Chelsea or Westminster
- who experience long-standing emotional and interpersonal difficulties which may be associated with a diagnosis of personality disorder
What help does Peer Support offer?
Peer Support offers peer-led and peer-facilitated activities which focus on your strengths, hopes and ambitions and can help you develop skills and strategies to manage and maintain your emotional and physical wellbeing. Mental health peer support can help:
- Feeling accepted by others who share your experience
- Developing and sharing skills
- Reducing feelings of isolation
- Building confidence and emotional resilience
- Building new relationships
- Learning new ways to manage your emotional wellbeing
Types of Peer Support
Specifically tailored to meet the needs of people with complex emotional needs, the peer support service offers a range of activities.
One-to-one
Sometimes just having a safe space and time to talk is enough. The peer support worker is there to listen, relate to how you feel and even offer practical tips they themselves have used to overcome similar difficulties.
Meet with a peer support worker, either face-to-face or over the phone, to talk through emotional challenges and share coping suggestions. One-to-one peer support offers the opportunity to work individually with a peer support worker to develop a tailored support and safety plan.
Peer Support Groups
Give and receive mutual support in a peer support group to manage daily stresses – online or face-to-face.
Structured self-help peer support groups aim to bring people together to share your experiences of dealing with mental health issues. It’s your chance to talk about your mental health, an opportunity to learn about how others in similar situations manage their lives and connect with people who know what it’s like to feel the way you do.
Social Peer Support
Social peer support provides friendly meet-ups where you can connect with others in a safe, supportive environment to join in an activity or just spend time with people who have a similar interest and shared experience.
Social peer support activities include going for walks, arts and culture, singing, quizzes, social trips and much more. Some activities are face-to-face and others are online.
Living Well Workshops
Living Well Workshops provide a safe and supportive space to develop skills to manage the stresses and difficulties in your life. Each session is different, covering a variety of subjects. Learn alongside peers who may be experiencing similar difficulties. Living Well Workshops are facilitated by a peer trainer. You will have the opportunity to be part of designing the workshops that are created as the service develops as well as to co-facilitate as a peer trainer.
Who can access peer support for people with complex emotional needs?
Individuals can be referred in a number of ways, including referrals from:
- Complex Emotional Needs Pathway Team, including the Waterview Centre
- Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster mental health hubs
- GPs
- Community and voluntary organisations
- Self-enquiries from people who are not accessing specialist mental health services or requiring acute care (please note that a care professional referral may be required).
How to make a referral
Referrals can be made quickly and easily by downloading and completing this form and returning it to [email protected] or making an enquiry on 020 8964 1333.