About this course

The course is delivered weekly for 6 full day online sessions, covering key competences for students to build a solid foundation from which to launch their careers in peer working.

The course is delivered by trainers with both lived and professional experience, who have worked as peer support workers and trainers in a range of healthcare contexts. 

The training covers what a peer worker is, the core principles of recovery and what can hinder it, communication skills and recovery focused language, sharing recovery stories, how peer workers can look after their own wellbeing as well as supporting others with wellbeing plans, and working with difference.

Each online session is underpinned by practical opportunities to engage in skills-building. Engagement and participation is essential to complete this course, and 5 out of 6 sessions must be attended to receive a certificate of completion.

Please note for peer workers employed by or working within the NHS in England, an alternative training in peer support may be available to you at no cost. Please check with your local peer or recovery lead before enrolling on our course.

 

Skills You will Learn

  • Understand the role, values and principles of an effective peer worker.

  • Be able to describe the qualities, attributes and skills of an effective peer worker.
  • Understand how to work with difference.
  • Be able to use active listening and communication skills in a peer relationship.
  • Understand how to develop and maintain a mutual and reciprocal peer relationship.
  • Be able to draw on and share lived experience safely.

 

Schedule

February-March 2027 (Fridays) 

  1.  19th February 2027
  2.  26th February 2027
  3.  5th March 2027
  4.  12th March 2027
  5.  19th March 2027
  6.  26th March 2027

 

Target Audience

Students do not need any prior academic qualifications or experience to undertake the course and support is offered for those with learning needs and disabilities.
The course may not be ideally suited to those who are unable to engage with full days of learning online – we encourage anyone who would find undertaking the course across half days over two cohorts to get in touch as this can be accommodated by individual arrangement.

 

Dates

  • 19 February 2027

Time

09:30 am - 04:30 pm

Duration

6 weeks

Setting

Virtual (Zoom)

Cost

£1,100

Developing Expertise in Peer Working (Standard)

£1,100.00


February-March 2027

The trainer

Katy Hawkins

Trustwide Peer & Lived Experience Training and Development Lead.

Team Lead for the Peer & Lived Experience Training Team.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.