Making a Difference

I have been involved in organized peer support work for the past 15 years. I have been a peer supporter, trainer, mentor and mostly, a learner. I had the privilege of both learning from and working shoulder to shoulder with many peers; I have grown personally every time.

When I began peer support work in Alberta, standards for peer work were in the early stages of development. I can attest that the longer I worked as a peer supporter, the more I came to value peer work.

I feel strongly that peer work has intrinsic value both to peers and peer supporters. One benefit is having the opportunity to discover how both parties deal with life challenges. This is quite different from the “reach your goal before the next meeting” imperative and the “identify your ambitions and attainments” worksheets that are prevalent in other structured approaches.

Another advantage that peer support work has provided was an alternative approach to the ‘power differential’ between the paid professional worker and the common person. Because that differential is minimized, the peer supporter affords the peer dignity through encouraging them to self-determine their own goals.

A key word in peer work is mutuality, which means an honest relationship between the peer supporter and the peer. The outcome is mutual growth and enrichment. In retrospect, I have truly appreciated and benefited from this dynamic because it allows us to take need space some days just to exist. This dynamic is something I continue to bring forward in other areas of life.

Currently retired, I now enjoy being part of discussions, dreams and values of the Western Canada Peer Training Society. I am thrilled to be associated with them, and I do not think I will ever get tired of experiencing the value of walking alongside others on their journey. Once Peer work is embedded in your people skills tool kit, you will be all the better for it. I applaud all peers who are learning to improve their walk alongside others.