Quarriers Maternal Wellbeing Service runs a group of seven peer mentors. All peer mentors have had support through our Maternal Wellbeing service and identified that they would like to give something back to the service to help other women in similar situations. These mums felt that having support and someone to talk to who “knows what it feels like” was the best support for a mum’s emotional wellbeing, and began their journey to become peer mentors.
It was very important from the start that mentors were involved in making decisions on what direction they would like the peer mentor support to go.
All mentors have taken part in Quarriers mandatory training as well as training in Child Protection and Solihull Foundation. Peer mentors also identified other training they felt would support their work, including Baby Massage, Bookbug and Awareness of Perinatal Mood Disorder.
The Maternal Wellbeing staff team felt it was important that as well as giving, peer mentors get something back in return. All mentors have access to opportunities available to Quarriers staff: training, team meetings, support, supervision and opportunities to apply for internal vacancies.
All peer mentors are working towards achieving SVQ 3 Health and Social Services Adults.
As part of development of the service, peer mentors feel it is important to remove as many barriers to accessing support as possible. With this in mind, they plan to:
• set up satellite groups in areas out with the project base
• offer help with pickups for mums to attend the service
• support mums to use public transport to attend groups and appointments, go for walks and shopping
Mentors have access to regular supervision and opportunities to discuss their own emotional wellbeing. Mentors also felt it was important to have weekly contact with the other peer mentors, and this takes place through WhatsApp chat and video calls.
The service was evaluated by a team at University of Stirling – report here.
For more information, contact:
Phone: 0141 774 8202 – ask for Alison, Jill or Rhonda
Email: ruchaziefamilysupport@quarriers.org.uk
Quarriers is a registered Scottish Charity No.SC001960
