Peer Support Group Intervention Paper

Following the situational analysis and role clarification, an intervention plan can now be created by following the STEP process, which stands for Support, Timing, Environment, and People. Each stage could have a significant effect on the success and sustainability of a peer support group, whether it is aimed at a single group meeting or a long term program with a number of meetings. Each stage will be individually discussed:

Support – “What support will you require to be effective?” The first important aspect of support is to have more than one peer facilitator per group. The main advantage is that it helps to share the workload as well as enabling the group to continue if one of the peer facilitators becomes sick/unavailable or in the event of a group member requiring individual attention. It is important that support is discussed during the early stages of group forming. Everybody should make use of this opportunity to discuss their needs in terms of the support they require.

Timing – “What elements of timing are
important before, during, and after the facilitation session?” Timing is very important. Facilitation sessions that takes up too much time may run the risk of losing group members as they can regard it as a waste of time while a facilitation that takes too little time might not get all of the benefits out of the sessions. It is therefore important to plan for unexpected occurrences such as people coming late, the weather that may hamper the session, people asking questions about unexpected/unrelated topics etc.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the context of your participants’ lives. Schedule facilitation sessions at times that fits in with the lifestyle of the group members. This will lead to increased attendance and decrease the possibility of distractions. It is therefore important to be flexible to the needs of the group. The peer facilitator should however be clear in the boundaries of what aspects can be changed and what not.

Environment – “How can the environment affect the peer facilitation session?” A number of factors from the environment can affect the group.
For instance, weather, traffic, safety, noise, and a number more other aspects. It is therefore important to choose a location that is convenient and accessible to all participants. As a facilitator it is necessary to arrive well in advance to set up the facility and make the necessary preparations. Community centers, churches, libraries and other public places can be considered which is either free to use or can be used at a lower cost. Consider the size of the group when selecting a location for the facilitation. Ensure that the location has sufficient space for the entire group, has adequate bathrooms available for the number of participants and is free from excessive noises. Always consider safety when deciding on a venue as it is important for the participants to physically and mentally feel
safe.

People – “How will people be brought to the group and be evaluated whether their needs have been met?” It is the peer facilitator’s role to keep people engaged and participating in the facilitation sessions. It can help people to feel more involved by assigning different responsibilities to each group member such as identifying a timekeeper, note taker and a person(s) responsible to clean the venue afterwards.

An important and key skill for peer facilitators is the ability to communicate clearly and consistently. Invitations for facilitation sessions are important and should be built around the STEP principles. Attempt to eliminate any uncertainties that may arise and prepare the group for the facilitation session as best as possible.

It is a good idea to send each participant as well as the hosting venue a reminder of the session which could lead to increased participation. Keep in mind that whether there are 20, 5 or just 1 person attending, the meaningful exchange and experience can be equally valuable.