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Peer support is a key component in managing the physical and emotional well-being of people living with long term conditions

Peer support is a key component in managing the physical and emotional well-being of people living with long term conditions. The Service Specification for Specialised HIV Services for Adults (2013), BHIVA Standards of Care for People Living with HIV (2013) and NHS 5-year Forward View (2014) all recognise the role of peer support within the patient care pathway. ‘What do You Need’ (Sigma Research 2009) reports that peer support would help with areas of self-confidence, emotional well-being and social inclusion.

Positively UK’s evaluation of its wider peer support programme found that 95% of people reported increase well-being as a result of peer interventions (Improving Well-Being, Positively UK, 2014).

Our external evaluation published in January 2014 demonstrated that peer support improved people’s ability to manage HIV as a long-term condition alongside emotional well-being. National Voices recent report: ‘Peer Support – what is it and does it work’ brought together evidence from over 1000 research studies on the topic. While the report finds that more evidence is needed for the wider impact of peer support, Project 100 will utilise proven strategies and methods to ensure robust and effective support. Furthermore, the Programme will be fully evaluated to demonstrate cost effectiveness as well as positive outcomes for mentors and mentees alike.

The easiest way to ensure that every person diagnosed with HIV has access to support would be to provide all HIV clinics with dedicated peer mentors.

Healthcare professionals would then refer those patients who are newly diagnosed, about to start treatment, or who would simply benefit from talking to someone else living with HIV about their experiences.

Project 100 will partner with clinical services and voluntary sector organisations to create clear and effective referral pathways and line management responsibilities. We will also provide training for local voluntary sector organisations and clinics on how to manage and support peer mentors, both inside and out of the clinic. Given the continuing rise in number of people living and growing older with HIV and the move towards greater integration of health and social care services, Project 100 is perfectly placed to support people to live well with HIV.

What’s in it for you?

Voluntary Sector Organisations and their Volunteers

Our training package will build capacity and skills in your volunteers and by extension your service, allowing you to provide more effective and targeted support in-house, as well as within the local clinical environment. Having stronger referral pathways and links with local HIV clinics will raise awareness amongst clinical staff, resulting in increased referrals for your support services. A project of this kind is the decisive first step on the path to the integration of health and social care services, and places participating organisations in a strong position when it comes to potential future contracts linking the two.

Project 100 is also keen to work with local partners to develop their capacity to provide effective peer mentoring and will also provide training to partner agencies on setting up and managing a peer mentor programme and volunteer coordination.

Patient and Activist Groups

Project 100 recognises that local HIV support comes in different shapes and sizes and that not all those who provide a service sit within an institution or organisation. We are working with Forum Link to ensure that patient groups are able to access training and support. We strongly encourage local patient groups and peer-led initiatives to get in touch with us to find out how we can support you to provide effective peer mentoring and forge links with local clinical services.

Training

Partner organisations – whether patients groups or voluntary organisations – can refer potential or existing volunteers to our Peer Mentor training and access our Volunteer Coordination training. Training is delivered via a combination of face-to-face peer-delivered teaching (approximately 2.5 days) and online learning modules. We will provide peer mentor training in sites across the UK to maximise the potential for national coverage.

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