Peer Talk (Warrington)

The PeerTalk project is an initiative which aims to support individuals and their families who live with depression.

PeerTalk is an independent charitable foundation.

Based on the successful model of Aware, PeerTalk will establish volunteer facilitated peer support group meetings. At these meetings group members will offer support and encouragement from their own experience of living with depression as others share their stories.

Similar groups for family members and friends will provide opportunities for people to share their concerns and feelings and to offer support.

PeerTalk’s aims include raising awareness about depression and challenging the stigma often associated with it. PeerTalk’s regional Awareness Days provide information about a range of mental health conditions but particularly about depression, encourage good practice in communicating with and supporting people who live with mental health  conditions and how to signpost people to mental health services if necessary.

PeerTalk has recruited and trained volunteers to facilitate three peer support group meetings in Bradford, Preston and Newcastle. Volunteers offer a minimum commitment of 18 months, to facilitate on three consecutive weeks per quarter, and to attend regular support meetings. In 2017 PeerTalk will establish four further groups (or more!) and in 2018 another eight.

PeerTalk support groups are modelled on the successful work of Aware and a video of such a meeting can be seen here.

If you are interested in attending a PeerTalk support group or offering as a PeerTalk volunteer support group facilitator or want to know how you can support PeerTalk then please contact us.