Due to unprecedented demands upon The Association of Participating Service Users, Peer Helper will no longer commence on August 17th, 2010. Instead, we will commence Peer Helper at the middle of March 2011.
Ring Regina on 9573 1736 or Miriam on 9573 1776 if you have any queries or concerns.
As of November 2009, APSU has enjoyed the opportunity of delivering 7 Peer Helper Projects: a short course for people who have experienced substance use and who wish to help others. So far 77 people have completed this training.
The Peer Helper course uses experienced facilitators to build on participants’ existing skills, talents and abilities. After 40 hours of training over three weeks, participants complete twelve or more hours of supervised practical peer helping. Many participants have gone onto further study or employment as a result of this program.
The outcomes for the 2008 August and November courses are:
16 people completed Peer Helper Training.
9 have completed 12 hours of Peer Helping.
7 have gone on to further education.
6 are still undertaking volunteer work.
The outcomes for the 2009 April Peer Helper are:
14 people completed Peer Helper Training
10 of these completed 12 hours of Peer Helping
3 have continued with their volunteer work.
Congratulations to the seven people who have recently completed their Peer Helper Trianing in October. Over half of these people have gone to complete further education.
Indeed service providers have benefitted from supporting Peer Helpers during their 12 hours of Peer Helping, having the opportunity of experiencing the capabilities of people who use services.
The following sevices have experiences 12 hours of Peer Helping:
Turning PointTaskforce
Wellington House
De Paul House
Gateway Services
YSAS Services
Salvation Army Services
SHARC
Topics covered in the ten session training course include:
• Mentoring/Peer helping
• Communication skills
• Stages of change
• Advocacy
• Personal Recovery/Self Care and Boundaries
• Relapse Prevention
• Harm Reduction
• The Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment System
• Mental Health
• Forensics
If you or any of your friends are interested, if people who use your services want to participate, or if you simply require information, please contact Regina
Ph: (03) 9573 1736
Mobile: 0403 451 421
Email: rbrindle@sharc.org.au
Postal address: APSU@SHARC 140 Grange Rd, Carnegie, VIC 3163.