A day in the life of a peer support worker: Training day

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience of being a peer support worker: a day providing training for new peer support workers. Design/methodology/approach: A reflective personal account of a day in the authors work sent as a trainer on a peer support worker training course. Findings: The critical value of co-production. Training is not about an "expert" imparting their wisdom - the answers are in the room. To provide training is to continue to learn. Research limitations/implications-One person's account of their experience of providing peer support worker training. Practical implications: Modelling that which is valued rather than simply telling people. A recovery focus must extend to colleagues as well as the people we serve. Originality/value: While there is a great deal written about the theory of peer support work, little is published about peer support workers experience. This paper provides important insights into the nature of peer support work. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.