Peer Leadership
Can your experience help someone else speak up? Yes. And it can become a valued role.
Self advocacy is not only personal. It can be shared. When people who have been through something support others who are going through it, things change faster and feel less lonely.
What a peer leader can do
- Mentor and support others in speaking up. One conversation can change how someone feels about their next meeting.
- Lead workshops, groups or committees. Having people with lived experience in the room changes what gets discussed.
- Share your experiences to influence systems. Stories, when you choose to tell them, show people what the rules look like in real life.
- Advocate for communities you belong to. You do not have to do it alone, and you do not have to speak for everyone.
Getting ready
- Decide what you are happy to share, and what stays private.
- Find someone who can support you, such as a mentor, a friend or a coordinator.
- Start small. A one to one chat or a small group is a good first step.
- Ask whether the role is paid. Lived experience is expertise, and it should be recognised that way.
Look after yourself
Supporting others can be heavy. You are allowed to say no, take breaks and step back. A good peer leader looks after their own energy first.
Keep reading
The bit that matters most
Peer leadership expands your influence and creates valued roles in the wider community. Your experience is not only yours. It can help someone else take their first step.
Not sure where to start?
Take a three minute check-in, or grab the free Starter Kit.