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

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-08-2015-0031
Pages169-173
Published date09 November 2015
Date09 November 2015
AuthorEmma Watson
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion
A day in the life of a peer support worker:
beginnings
Emma Watson
Emma Watson is Peer Support
Worker at the Institute of Mental
Health, Nottingham NHS Trust,
Nottingham, UK.
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the day-to-day challenges and experiences
of a peer support worker.
Design/methodology/approach A reflective account of the experience of a first meeting with a peer,
offering support through a series of difficult situations.
Findings Reflections are offered on the importance of relationships and overcoming feelings of
disillusionment with mental health services.
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.
Keywords Narrative, Experience, Mental health services, Peer support, Discharge, Disillusionment
Paper type Case study
Beginnings
I have just walked in on a very sad scene. I am standing in the entrance of a ward bedroom;
the room is in chaos, belongings everywhere and in the middle of it all a tearful young woman
slowly pushing clothes into a black bin-liner. Next to her, a nurse is passing her shoes to add
to the bag.
I have been told that the young womans name is Lizzy. I spend three days a week on this ward
and she has been here for at least two weeks and we have not yet crossed paths. I am not sure
how we have managed that but I am wishing now that we had at least glimpsed each other
before. I have been asked by the ward manager to take Lizzy to Housing Aid this afternoon. She
was discharged this morning and has nowhere to go. None of the staff can spare the whole
afternoon to go with her and the manager seemed quite relieved when she realised that Lizzy
could have peer support.
This morning she came to find me: You have a car dont you? And you can offer community
support cant you? You need to meet Lizzy.
From that point I had a sense of trepidation, it seemed like Lizzy was about to have peer support
imposed on her which does not sit right with our aspiration for empowering, mutual ways of
being. Still, in line with my aspiration for a positive can-do approach, I said it would be great to
meet Lizzy and see if she would like any support from me.
As I reach the bedroom, Lisa the nurse who is helping Lizzy pack, looks up and beckons me in.
Lizzy, this is the lady we were telling you about, Emma is going to go with you to your Housing
Aid appointment, OK?
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-08-2015-0031 VOL. 19 NO. 4 2015, pp. 169-173, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
PAG E 16 9

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