About this course
The course is delivered weekly for 6 full day online sessions, covering key competences for students to build a solid foundation from which to launch their careers in peer working.
The course is delivered by trainers with both lived and professional experience, who have worked as peer support workers and trainers in a range of healthcare contexts.
The training covers what a peer worker is, the core principles of recovery and what can hinder it, communication skills and recovery focused language, sharing recovery stories, how peer workers can look after their own wellbeing as well as supporting others with wellbeing plans, and working with difference.
Each online session is underpinned by 2 questions for students to work on independently which invite reflection and consideration of what they have learnt that day.
To complete the course, students need to attend at least 5 out of 6 sessions, and to receive a certificate of completion, submit 5 out of 6 reflections as evidence of their engagement and understanding.
Please note for peer workers employed by or working within the NHS in England, an alternative training in peer support may be available to you at no cost. Please check with your local peer or recovery lead before enrolling on our course.
Skills You will Learn
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Understand the role, values and principles of an effective peer worker.
- Be able to describe the qualities, attributes and skills of an effective peer worker.
- Understand how to work with difference.
- Be able to use active listening and communication skills in a peer relationship.
- Understand how to develop and maintain a mutual and reciprocal peer relationship.
- Be able to draw on and share lived experience safely.
Schedule
June 2026 - Fridays
- Friday 26th June 2026
- Friday 3rd July 2026
- Friday 10th July 2026
- Friday 17th July 2026
- Friday 24th July 2026
- Friday 31st July 2026
August 2026 - Fridays
- Friday 7th August 2026
- Friday 14th August 2026
- Friday 21st August 2026
- Friday 28th August 2026
- Friday 4th September 2026
- Friday 11th September 2026
September 2026 - Tuesdays
- Tuesday 15th September 2026
- Tuesday 22nd September 2026
- Tuesday 29th September 2026
- Tuesday 6th October 2026
- Tuesday 13th October 2026
- Tuesday 20th October 2026
October 2026 - Tuesdays
- Tuesday 27th October 2026
- Tuesday 3rd November 2026
- Tuesday 10th November 2026
- Tuesday 17th November 2026
- Tuesday 24th November 2026
- Tuesday 1st December 2026
Target Audience
Students do not need any prior academic qualifications or experience to undertake the course and support is offered for those with learning needs and disabilities.
The course may not be ideally suited to those who are unable to engage with full days of learning online – we encourage anyone who would find undertaking the course across half days over two cohorts to get in touch as this can be accommodated by individual arrangement.
Dates
- 26 June 2026
- 7 August 2026
- 15 September 2026
- 27 October 2026
Time
09:30 am - 04:30 pmDuration
Setting
Cost
The trainer
Katy Hawkins
Trustwide Peer & Lived Experience Training and Development Lead.
Team Lead for the Peer & Lived Experience Training Team.
CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.