Peer support group

 

Connectedness – Think about a time, when you were included in a community or group. How did it make you feel?

How did you feel being part of the group?

What did you gain out of it?

Peer support group brings in people with shared experiences or identity. Members use their own experiences to help each other. There are different types of Peer Support, but they all aim to:

• bring together people with shared experience to support each other
• provide a space where you feel accepted and understood
• treat everyone's experience as being equally important
• involve both giving and receiving support

There are two roles in peer support groups - someone who receives support and someone who gives support. 

These are generally small groups where confidentiality can be managed. 

Features of Peers Support:

• Family and Cultural Experiences
• Interpersonal Learning
• Giving Back
• Socialization
• Universality
• Guidance
• Group Cohesiveness
• Sharing in a safe space

Benefits of Peer Support Group

• Meeting with people who speak your language
• Learning from people who have been where you are
• Sharing your experience with others
• Learning about yourself
• No Judgement
• Boosting self-esteem/self-worth
• Social skills
• Hope and support
• Sense of Humour
• Cooperation
• Helping yourself by helping others

Belonging is a natural human need. It relies on both conformity and individuality. Through belonging we develop new understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Our sense of identity is stronger when we belong. 

Belonging and fitting in are different. 

• Fitting in is assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be, to be accepted Example Chameleon. 
• Belonging on the other hand does not require us to 'Change' but we can just 'Be' who we are. It is an innate human desire. 

There are people who take all the new members under their wings and makes them feel good. You do unto others, what you want them to do to you. 

Peer groups can be for various purposes like:

·       ·       Financial Independence
·       Post maternity
·       Mental Fitness
·       Manage and structure career fit into an organisation
·       Physical Fitness
·       Laughter Club - Chitchat
·       Manage home and work