Creating Hope with Peer Support in Stirling: workshop

We’ll start with an exploration of peer support and why it has a vital role to play in suicide prevention. Then we'll look at the Creating Hope with Peer Support Pathway. This Pathway outlines four key stages of the peer support relationship and journey: Connect, Explore, Hope and Support.

• Peer Supporters / Workers in groups or services who want to build their confidence supporting people affected by suicide
• People with lived experience interested in developing peer support skills

Group numbers for this workshop are deliberately low to provide a small group session where participants can discuss challenges, shape solutions and exchange skills and ideas.

• Discussions and activities designed to develop ideas, share experiences and strengthen existing knowledge
• Explore with fellow participants how peer support can be meaningful and effective in suicide prevention
• An introduction to the Creating Hope with Peer Support Pathway
• An increased understanding of the practice of peer support through shared language and intentionally sharing experiences
• Time dedicated to developing self-care and support strategies
• A space to reflect on the value in what you are doing as a Peer Supporter

Lunch is provided. Refreshments are available throughout the day.

"This is a compassionate, gentle approach. It humanises suicide in that it doesn’t feel clinical."

"I feel like I know more, how I can support others in a safe way. I discovered other ideas and it was good to hear other people's opinions."

"There are more elements to peer support than I realised."

The workshop is informed by the Creating Hope with Peer Support resource. This practical guide was co-designed and piloted by groups and organisations already delivering peer support for people impacted by suicide. You can order your free copy of Creating Hope with Peer Support from

We support the ALLIANCE #CommunicationForAll campaign. If you have any accessibility or communication needs that would help you take part, please let us know. To book BSL Interpreters or Electronic Notetakers, we need two weeks notice.

If you have any further questions, contact 0300 323 9956 or [email protected]

British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us directly by using

The Scottish Government and COSLA'S Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan – – recognises the valuable contribution of peer support in our communities.

Our brings people from across sectors and different walks of life together, to connect and explore the role peer support can play in suicide prevention.

With a focus on the power of lived experience to affect positive change, the project is working with a wide range of partners to boost peer support groups and services in communities across the country. It is helping to build capacity so that people and families affected by suicide can receive help at the earliest opportunity.

Info: Tea and coffee available on arrival so you can settle in to the space in your own time.

Info: After watching a short video of what makes peer support unique we will discuss as a group and share our own understanding and experiences of peer support.

Info: A short presentation to provide some context around the Creating Hope Together strategy, explain how peer support sits within its Outcomes, and an introduction to the peer groups and services in Scotland that co-designed the resource this workshop is structured around.

Info: This stage sets the foundations exploring the theme of Connect: establishing and developing connections and relationships. Building the trust needed for peer support.

Info: Stage two of the Creating Hope with Peer Support Pathway, Explore: using curiosity and compassion to enable people to explore their emotions and experiences in a way that makes them feel heard, valued and validated.

Info: Lunch will be provided.

Info: Participants will be introduced to the power of hope, how to develop hopeful relationships and facilitate hopeful conversations.

Info: Here we discuss how we navigate the balance between being friendly without being friends, being clear on what our role is and isn’t, especially in situations where people are distressed or in crisis, can be a challenge.

Info: Here we focus on supporting the Peer Supporters. None of this great work is possible if the Peer Supporters do not get the help and guidance they need to support their wellbeing and practice.

Info: As a group the chance to reflect on the day, share feedback with each other and anonymously.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Scottish Recovery Network