What makes a successful peer support scheme?
What makes a successful peer support scheme?
Service user involvement managers' network forum
Date
Location
From
For more information about events, or to request an invoice, please contact events@clinks.org.
Peer support in a prison context refers to a wide range of activities where prisoners assist other prisoners. It can be a preferred source of support over professional support from prison staff, psychologists, counsellors, doctors, social services, or probation. There are many potential benefits to peer support including: helping new prisoners adjust to prison life, reducing isolation, positive role-modelling, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Becoming a peer supporter can also have a positive effect on prisoners, by enhancing confidence and self-esteem, improving communication/organisational skills and behaviour, generating a positive self-image, increasing levels of independence, and gaining trust.
While peer support schemes can be beneficial to the peer supporters and the prisoners they support, there are risks associated with peer support schemes.
In this networking event, we will discuss what makes a successful peer support scheme. We will consider the challenges; how to recruit, train and support peer supporters, and help people to move on from peer roles through the gate into paid employment. We will also include a discussion on a recently published review and best practice guidance on peer support schemes in prison.
You will also hear from: Shannon Trust on the difference peer Mentors make to their Learners and what by prisoners for prisoners means now and what it might mean in the future; and St Giles Trust about setting up peer support programmes in prisons, the benefits and challenges and what happens beyond the gate.
The network is aimed at practitioners looking to begin or improve the way they engage their service users.
Lunch will be provided from 1pm.
Costs
£25 members / £50 non-members
Terms and conditions
Payment can be made securely by PayPal on the event booking system on the Clinks website.
If payment cannot be made by PayPal, customers can request an invoice which can be paid by bank transfer or cheque. Invoice requests should be made to events@clinks.org.
Clinks reserves the right to refuse admission for any failure by a customer to pay fees for the event prior to the start of the event.
Cancellations policy
Customer cancellations must be made in writing to events@clinks.org. Please include your organisation name and delegate contact details.
If you cancel your booking:
- 1 month or more before the event, no charges will be incurred. If payment has been made, a refund will be arranged.
- Less than 1 month, but more than five working days before the event, Clinks will retain 50% of the fee and a refund can be arranged for the remainder.
- Within five working days of the event, Clinks will retain 100% of the fee and no refund will be applicable.
- If you do not attend the event Clinks will retain 100% of the fee, unless a legitimate reason for not attending can be provided. Such decisions are at the discretion of Clinks.
- For free events, Clinks may advertise a ‘no show’ charge which will be applicable to delegates who have not submitted written notice of their absence prior to the event.
- If you wish to send a substitute delegate, please let us know by emailing events@clinks.org. There is no administrative charge for doing this. However, if the event pricing is dependent upon membership status or organisation type, the fee may change and an additional cost may be incurred.
- Clinks reserves the right to cancel, postpone or otherwise alter the content or date of an event without notice. In such circumstances, Clinks may, at its own discretion, return any payment received without penalty of a cancellation charge.
Bursaries and associated travel costs
We may be able to offer bursaries to cover course/transport costs to small voluntary sector organisations working with offenders and/or their families. If bursaries are available then this will be advertised.
Clinks will be unable to provide help with accommodation costs.
It is advised not to make travel arrangements until you have received confirmation of your booking and joining instructions. We endeavour to provide joining instructions at least 2 weeks in advance.
All of the above are, at all times, at the full discretion of Clinks.