Peer Support Training
Do you have lived experience of receiving mental health support and now want to support others?
Our 8 week Peer Support Training is a comprehensive training programme for mental health peer support workers, based on The Competence Framework published by Health Education England. This training is for people already in a paid or voluntary peer support role or who want to take this step in their career.
Training dates:
- Online training starting 18th May 2026 – open to applications
Training dates: 18th May, 1st, 8th, 22nd, 29th June and 6th, 13th, 20th July (please note they are not 8 weeks consecutively)
- Online training starting 5th October 2026 – open to applications
Training dates: 5th, 12th, 19th October and 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th November (please note they are not 8 weeks consecutively)
Training Fees:
8 week Peer Support Training and Mentoring programme
In person training: £1,455
Online training: £1,000
This fee includes:
- 8 full training days (48 hours of in person or online training)
- Course manual and workbook- printed and electronic versions
- Access to our online learning portal with additional materials and interactive tasks
- Individual and group mentoring throughout the training from our experienced team
- Support from our training team to set goals for your next steps following the training
- Buddy groups to enhance learning and support
- Training certification from AQA for up to 10 modules
- Access to our Peer Support Network Alumni group after the course is completed.
Course fees due on acceptance of application. Payment plans are available – please email to discuss this option.
Feedback
Emma’s Experience
Here’s a short feedback video from Emma, who completed the peer support worker training in 2022. See how she gained confidence, how the course supported her own personal growth, and how she was able to change her career path from hospitality to mental health advocacy:
Daniel’s Experience
Daniel completed the Peer Support Training course in 2024. Listen to Daniel talk about what it was like to take part in the course:
Peer Support Worker Training by DanielWhat is Peer Support?
Peer support workers are individuals who have lived experience of mental health challenges themselves or experience of supporting a friend or family member through mental health challenges. They use these experiences to support other people and their families receiving mental health support.
They provide emotional support, social interaction, and practical help. Peer support workers are able to work in a number of different settings and the role they fulfil will depend on the type of service they are based in.
This may be as one-to-one support, support groups or self-help groups, online or on the phone. Because a peer support worker has their own lived experience of mental health challenges they offer a unique perspective and insight.
Valuing everyone’s experience and treating everyone equally.
Accessing peer support can help in many ways including;
- Peer support workers have experience with their own strategies that they can share with individuals
- Improves well-being
- Better self-esteem, confidence and social skills
- Support individuals to develop goals and support recovery
- Increased knowledge of mental health conditions and recovery
- Develop personal recovery plans
- Supports engagement in activities
- Supports engagement in group activities
- Larger support networks
- Focusing on and building a person’s strengths and their ability to make use of the resources available to them
- Support to navigate systems and waiting lists
- Ease feelings of isolation