Peer Outreach Volunteer Training

New course starting January 2012

Dates of the Training:

Round One:

Week 1: 19/01/12 & 20/01/12

Week 2: 26/01/12 & 27/01/12

Week 3: 02/02/12 & 02/02/12

Round Two:

Week 1: 24/05/12 & 25/05/12

Week 2: 31/05/12 & 01/06/12

Week 3: 07/06/12 & 08/06/12

When asked about their experience of the training and becoming a peer supporter, one of our newly qualified volunteers said “The course was well presented and entertaining. Not dull but had good audience participation which kept you ‘on your toes’”. They also felt they had now gained the relevant techniques related to carrying out voluntary peer support and were looking forward to carrying out this role. Equally importantly they also stated that they felt they had developed new wellness tools as the “techniques used in ‘peer support’ can also be applied to day to day life”.

Can anyone be a peer outreach volunteer and what will be expected of me?

Augment's Peer Support training is open to all A.C.E project members who are ready to move on into volunteering and would like to take on this challenging, but extremely rewarding, role. Whilst we recognise that all individuals with an experience of mental health challenges have unique expertise and experience to offer in many forms of voluntary work, not everyone is suitable to become a peer outreach volunteer. A deep understanding of Augment’s ethos, and familiarity with the organisation and our members, is necessary to carry out this role effectively.

Augment volunteers are as varied and as interesting as the people they will work with and we expect each of our volunteers to bring their own individuality to the role.

The following are essential to becoming a peer volunteer:

· Experience of mental health challenges and a personal recovery story

· Excellent communication skills

· Proven ability to work in a professional manner

· Experience of being a member/volunteer within Augments A.C.E project

· Completion of Augments peer support worker training programme

· Commitment to working as an Augment Peer Outreach Volunteer

Please contact Andrea for more information.

Testimonials

"I was invited to take part in a "Peer Support" training course. The training was a revelation. Another application for Peer Support Worker, another interview another nervous wait! My new attitude must have come across because I got the job! Augment helped get me here and I feel so different since my first contact with Augment".

If you have a lived experience of overcoming mental health challenges and feel that you could use your experiences to support others then Augments latest project will be of interest. Augment (Scotland) Ltd, a registered mental health charity based in Arbroath, are starting to recruit volunteers for their Peer Outreach Project. Founded on the "Principles of Peer Support" and using an approach developed by, and unique to, Augment - people with a lived experience of a mental health issue will receive comprehensive training to allow them to undertake the role of a Peer Outreach Volunteer.

Peer Outreach Volunteers will offer a vital supportive link for individuals, through training and using their own experiences to support and encourage others to move forward in their journey of recovery".

Personal recovery, excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a professional manner are all essential criteria for a Peer Outreach Volunteer, along with a readiness to undertake the peer volunteer training programme.

Through attending the training and undergoing an induction process within Augment, potential volunteers will receive the information and skills required to undertake this role. Volunteers will inspire and support individuals, through a short term relationship, to meet set goals which will enable them to move on (for example supporting someone to attend a service, go shopping or access public transport etc.).

If you would like further information, or to find out about volunteering as a peer outreach volunteer, then please contact Andrea Stewart (Volunteer Co-ordinator) at Augment -

Augment (Scotland) Ltd, Angus Community Enterprise, 24A Strathairlie Avenue, Arbroath, DD11 1LN

Tel: 01241 434405