Celebrating the Peer4Support Programme
Peer4support is a programme run at LPA that works with groups of pupils, originally started by Barnardo’s.
Those pupils taking part in the programme have time to learn about themselves and develop skills in supporting other young people. They learn about how to offer support to other children in our school and facilitate peer mentoring that promotes positive well-being.
Some of the skills learnt:
· Opportunity to spend time developing skills that support their own well-being
· Training to develop interpersonal skills such as listening and communicating
· A fun programme of events that develop key skills, build resilience and promote team work.
The staff running the programme, two of whom previously worked in CAMHS and therefore have a wealth of knowledge in Mental health trained by Barnardo’s to run the programme at LPA.
The first group of 18 pupils have successfully been trained after a 6 weeks course and are now mentoring year 7 pupils.
The emphasis is very much on mental health of both the mentors and mentees, with the mentors receiving 1:1 and group supervision on a regular basis with the staff leading the programme.
The feedback we have received so far has been very positive. Including:
· A tutor telling a mentor the positive difference they have seen in their tutee since the mentor has been working with them
· The mentors telling us how the training has helped them immensely with their own mental health and wellbeing and value the supervision they have been receiving
· The mentees have been asking the mentors if they can have extra sessions as they are finding it so helpful.