The Peer Support Model

Our programmes are grounded in shared, lived experience and human connection, which shines throughout Bazaar through our peer support model for delivery.

What is peer support?

Peer support is the process of one individual using their own lived experience to help another individual find ways that they can support themselves. This provides a non-clinical support option that can help individuals to understand their experiences in new impactful ways, as well as finding new coping mechanisms and techniques that the individual can use in their day-to-day life.

Our model of peer support

Through our programmes we offer structured mental health focused peer support delivered in-person on a one-to-one basis. We train peer mentors who with no prior experience can be trained to deliver our programmes. These are generally volunteers, and depending on the circumstances they can be either peers or staff if that is more appropriate or a better option for our partners.

How does Bazaar work?

We train peer mentors to deliver Bazaar over a one-day (6 hour) session that goes through:

  • The benefits of mentoring
  • The context surrounding mental health and diagnosis
  • How the Bazaar programme is delivered and the key theories outlined in the programme
  • Accessibility
  • Safeguarding, boundaries and confidentiality
  • How mentors can look after themselves while delivering the programme

These trained peer mentors can then deliver the programme to those who are experiencing low mood, anxiety, and/or panic attacks. Focusing on elements of CBT, mindfulness, and more, over eight hour-long sessions Bazaar is a proactive, preventative programme that gives individuals the tools to improve their mental health.

By training peer mentors, this means we can provide effective support that sits outside of a clinical setting and doesn’t have waiting lists, and by utilising the structure of the programme and our mentor training as well questions and surveys, we make sure that safeguarding is a priority throughout Bazaar.

We also measure impact throughout utilising these surveys, making sure any of our partners have access to 24/7 live data to show the effects the programme has on its members, as well as for Open Door to make and recommendations to help increase the shared impact the programme can have.

Want to find out more? Fill out our enquiry form below for more info.