Community Connectors & Peer Support

What is a community connector?

A Community Connector is a volunteer who is able to help tenants explore activities that will improve their well-being. They will help others to work out the things that they can do for themselves, along with signposting them to places they can go to access help and support.

How can this benefit me?

1-1 Peer support is known to improve emotional health, wellbeing and a sense of belonging which in turn can support you with your recovery.

What can Community Connectors support with?

Community Connectors can support you in:

  • Accessing community-based activities and groups
  • Using local services
  • Meeting new people
  • Gaining paid or voluntary work
  • Taking part in education courses
  • Learning new skills such as using public transport independently

How do I get involved?

We are looking to recruit volunteers to become Community Connectors for Hackney and Islington area to provide 1-1 peer support to local people. This voluntary role can be undertaken by people who live or work in the area or in neighbouring boroughs.

You will act as a link between other wellbeing services and organisations such as the Primary care teams, Social prescribing and other health and wellbeing networks.

The ability to link people with services and services with people will help create connections that provide a safety net of social support. This can help people feel better about their wellbeing and where they live.

You could be at the heart of this positive movement!

Moira’s Story

Moira is a PBHA tenant, who is actively involved with our Peer Support Group, Community Connectors program and Women’s Group.

“The Peer Support Group has given me a focus, helped me get out of the house and meet new people. It was like a fresh start, I feel accepted. I have a sense of belonging at PBHA and I feel like I have contributed to the group and that my opinions are valued and I am listened to, and that really builds my confidence and self-esteem. I feel part of the PBHA community. I’ve talked to tenants and written in the newsletter Rising Star.

I had a problem with social isolation, it was hard to motivate myself, but the groups give me something to put in my diary, I’ve got somewhere to go to meet different tenants and people that I may never have met. I’m also getting involved in Community Connectors because I have skills that I can bring to the role but I can also learn from it too.

I feel very supported by Anjum (Personal Development Lead) as I was very worried that I may not be suitable to volunteer due to my health conditions, but talking to Anjum was very helpful as she reassured and encouraged me.

I’m looking forward to being matched with a tenant and putting my skills to use, but I am definitely anxious about it, but then everyone is whenever they start anything new.”

How do I sign up or get more information?

You can either:

  1. Speak to your Recovery/EHM worker, to find out more about accessing this service.
  2. Or contact the Adult Learning team via telephone: 020 3815 4100 or email: learn@peterbedford.org.uk

Peer Support

What is peer support?

Simply put, peer support is coming together to offer one another social, emotional and practical help. The ‘peer’ aspect is that you as a group share lived experiences of a mental illness, homelessness or a disability and will be better equipped to understand each other’s experiences.

Why should I get involved?

Peer support will give you a space to talk with others that share your experiences. You can reach out to your peers for support and learn about how you can support one another so that you feel part of something bigger.

You can make a difference not only in your own life but to the lives of others.

How will it benefit me?

Peer support is known to improve emotional health, wellbeing and a sense of belonging which in turn can support you with your recovery. It can lead on to further opportunities and training around becoming a community connector. As a community connector, you will provide 1-1 peer support to local people to navigate local opportunities, self-help and training.

The Mental Health Foundation states the benefits of peer support approaches: shared identity, increased self-confidence, developing and sharing skills, valued citizenship (Faulkner and Bassett 2010).

How do I sign up or get more information?

You can either:

  1. Speak to your Recovery/EHM worker, to find out more about accessing this service.
  2. Or contact the Adult Learning team via telephone: 020 3815 4100 or email: learn@peterbedford.org.uk