PEER SUPPORT
What is a Peer Support group?
Peer Support is when a group of people come together who have all had a similar experience. They use that experience to help and support each other. The groups can meet face to face or online.
It can be difficult to talk to those around us in our everyday lives, as much as they want to support you, you may feel that they don’t really understand because they haven’t lived through the same experience.
Peer support group aims to offer a safe confidential space where you can share your story and listen to others stories and experiences. It is a way of bringing people together to support each other.
Peer support groups can help you to feel more knowledgeable and more confident about the future. They can help you to feel less isolated. They can help with any feelings of guilt or shame when you see that you are not alone with those experiences, in fact they may be very common in your group.
Initially the groups will be run online, a counsellor will always be present. Listening to others stories can be overwhelming and you have the flexibility to turn your camera off and re-join the group when you feel ready.
A group agreement will be made during the first session so that we can ensure this is a safe, confidential and respectful space.
Criteria for Infant loss Group
This group is for you if you have experienced any of the following:
- Miscarriage
- Still born
- Medical termination
- Death of child under two years
Criteria Birth Trauma Group
This group is for you if you have experienced any of the following:
At time of birth:
- You may have felt fearful, helpless or unheard.
- Your childbirth experience did not go to plan, or did not match your expectations.
- You may have experienced a difficult labour or labour complications.
- You may have needed intervention during labour such as assisted delivery: ventouse, forceps or an emergency caesarean
- You or your baby suffered a birth injury.
After the birth, sometimes the effects of birth trauma can be apparent for some time after you have given birth.
- You may have felt shocked, guilty, numb, or experienced panic attacks or flashbacks.
- Your baby may have needed medical attention after the birth.
- Not receiving the care or support that you needed.
Parent Support Group
Parenting can be a really difficult job, it can be especially hard if your child is struggling with their own mental health. If you are experiencing any of the following with your child this group may be for you.
- A change in mood or behaviour
- Increased stress
- An increase in anxiety, Anxious thoughts or behaviours
- Anger
- Becoming withdrawn
- Not knowing how to communicate with your child
- Concerns about body image, weight and self harm.
This peer support group has been developed to offer support to parents but would not be suitable for more complex mental health or behavioural problems.
#LetsTalkMore
For further details of the Peer Support Groups above please contact:
jude.graham@motherwellcheshirecio.com for Birth Trauma and Infant Loss
ginette@motherwellcheshirecio.com for Parent Support