Peer Mentor

Peer Connections is a 1:1 mentoring project covering Somerset for people affected by mental health challenges to give and receive support.

We support people who live with mental illness by helping them know they aren't alone and showing them the light at the end of the tunnel. The project aims to help people with their health and wellbeing.

I’m pleased to share that we are looking for two volunteers to join our team as peers, both those who are experienced and those new to the role, who would feel confident supporting males seeking peer support.

As a Peer Mentor, you’ll use your own lived experience to offer empathetic, non-judgmental support to someone who may be feeling isolated or overwhelmed. It’s not about fixing or advising – it’s about walking alongside someone, sharing what’s helped you, and helping them find their own next steps , finding ways of achieving individual health and wellbeing goals and connecting with people across Somerset through regular conversations over a time limited period.

What will you get?

As a Peer, you’ll receive full training and ongoing support, including:

-Peer Support Worker Core Training delivered by an Open Mental Health partner, recognized for both paid and volunteering roles across Somerset.

-Peer Mentor Induction delivered by the team at Rethink Mental Illness to help you feel comfortable and ready.

-Regular supervision and reflection sessions with the Senior Project Officer to help you work on what you want to be improving; be it confidence, aptitude or support to find paid positions as a peer.

-Reimbursement of reasonable agreed expenses.

-Access to further training (examples could be courses such as Mental Health First Aid, Orange Button Scheme and Suicide Awareness, Peer Training, NHSE Peer Leadership, Trauma Informed Principles, Peer Passport, Serious Mental Illness Engagement, etc.)

Why are we looking?

At the moment, we have a strong group of Peers who feel confident supporting female service users, but only a few who feel comfortable working with males. We want to make sure we can meet the needs of everyone accessing our service, and that includes having Peers who feel confident supporting men. Of course, this wouldn’t limit you to only working with male service users, and we always aim to match people in ways that feel comfortable and appropriate for both sides, but we would ask that working with males would be within your comfort zone and your main focus.

Some different examples of males accessing our service may be younger and navigating anxiety, identity, or the pressures of growing up, while others might be older and facing isolation or long-term mental health challenges. You might support someone who presents as very “manly” or stoic, and who may benefit from connecting with groups like Unbreakable Men, Men’s Shed, or practical, hands-on projects.

Others may be more emotionally open and talkative, not fitting any stereotype or cliché. Some may be engaging with mental health support for the very first time, whether they’re young adults seeking guidance or older men just beginning to explore their own struggles.

What they all have in common is a need for connection, understanding, and someone who can say, “I get that.” Your lived experience and empathy can make a real difference, no matter who you’re matched with.

If this sounds like something you’d like to explore, or if you have any questions at all, please feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to talk it through with you and help you decide if it’s the right fit.