Training Modules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is peer support?
There are many definitions for peer support. For our project, we define peer support as emotional and practical support between two people with shared lived experience. Peer support is a one-on-one conversation between someone who has lived experience and is trained to provide peer support, and someone who has recent lived experience.
What qualities are you looking for in a peer support worker?
Peer support workers can listen others’ stories, offer hope, and share their own experiences. We want to ensure that peer support workers are grounded and able to connect with someone who is experiencing an emotionally challenging event.
What is the process of becomg a peer support worker?
Potential peer support workers will meet with the research team to discuss how they are doing, their experiences, and if they are interested in being a peer support worker. In this meeting, there are no right or wrong answers, we only hope to gain an understanding of if you are able to provide hope to participants.
How are participants being matched to peer support workers?
We speak to the participant to understand their needs and life circumstances. We then match based on age, gender, life experience, and interests as our previous research has shown these to be effective matching characteristics.
If you find a match unsuitable, it is okay to let a research team member know and we can find a new match for the participant.
What do peer support workers do?
Peer support workers provide hope for the future through being a living example of what life can look like after brain injury. Peer support workers actively listen to their participant to show that they are not alone and provide empathy and support for where they are in their brain injury journey.
What do peer support workers NOT do?
Peer support workers are professionals in lived experience. When working as a peer support worker, peer support workers are NOT medical doctors, lawyers, or financial professionals (even if they are those things in their off time). Giving medical, legal, or financial advice is NOT within the role of the peer support worker. More likely than not, participants will have a circle of support to address these concerns.
Peer support workers meet the participant where they are in their journey. Providing false hope is NOT something a peer support worker does. This means encouraging participants in next steps, rather than saying they will return to their previous life.
Can I share things that have helped me in my journey?
Yes! While we aren’t providing medical advice, we can still share tips, tricks, and resources that were helpful in our journey. It’s great to share helpful advice, but ask if the participant is willing to receive help and keep the conversation on them and their journey.
If you are interested in becoming a peer support worker, feel free to contact us!