Hello everyone 😊
We held a week long consultation in September 2022 prior to launching SANE’s Peer Pathways Program – here is a link to the consultation thread.
This new employment readiness program is now called the Peer Guide Program.
⭐️From September 2023 you will start seeing our first cohort of Peer Guides around the forum⭐️
Peer Guides do a bit of everything, including welcoming new members, responding to members, sharing their own experiences, helping members feel heard and less alone and building a warm and welcoming community.
About the Peer Guide Program
During recovery, there are times when we may need to take time off or face barriers to re-entering the workforce. The Peer Guide Program aims to support those experiencing barriers to entering the workforce, or who have been unemployed or underemployed for a period of time to gain support, training and practical experience in peer work. You can read more here - https://www.sane.org/peer-support/peer-guide-program.
This program also adds to roles in the mental health sector, as there are more and more peer work roles becoming available, but without the support pathways for people to try peer support, get foundational training, and have the opportunity to gain practical peer support experience before applying for roles.
SANE has been funded by the Department of Social Services and the NSW Mental Health Commission to deliver a new program in a small pilot starting in three PHN regions in Australia (Wide Bay QLD, Mornington Peninsula VIC, Hobart TAS, and regional and rural NSW).
The program includes 10 weeks of online training in peer work and work readiness skills, and 10 weeks volunteering on the SANE Forums. The aim of the program is to build on the principles and supports of the Community Guide Program (including training, mentoring and support), to provide new pathways for those to prepare for volunteering, education and employment.
