PEER SKILLS PROGRAM

What is Peer Skills? A two day interactive experience designed to:  Acknowledge and build on natural listening skills  Develop helping and problem solving skills  Develop relationship skills  Increase confidence in safely assisting a friend or peer Also as a  Foundation training for peer based programs to assist the development of supportive networks in schools and communities.

Peer Skills is… S – strengths based, focused on skill development C – child centred, community building R – relationship building, relevant, rewards E – empowering, experiential A – adaptable, flexible M – meaningful (emotionally) and fun

Effective Peer Programs Rey Carr Peer resources network, Canada  Goals  Support (Key Players and Departments)  Recruiting Plan (Culture and Social System)  Selection (Nomination, Interviewing, Screening)  Training; Content, Process, Autonomy  Assignments (meaningful activities or roles)  Supervision  Evaluation

Peer Skills aims  Introducing Peer Skills  Exploring values  Really listening and responding  Problem solving  Looking after yourself  Getting help

Introducing Peer Skills Aim of the session  To create a safe environment by developing positive and respectful relationships.  To introduce participants to the concept of helping a peer with their problem.

Issues, needs and strengths and young people DRUGS friendships ALCOHOL Safety Bounce back Caring Love PEER PRESSURE Energy and enthusiasm Freedom SCHOOL adventurous FAMILY Belonging forgiving ABUSE Sense of humour Respect

Exploring values aim of session: For participants to gain an insight into what their values are and how these values will influence and affect the way they think, feel and react when helping a peer.

Really listening aim of session: To acknowledge listening skills, to build on these skills and to maintain a safe environment in which participants can practice these skills.

Communicating and listening

Peer work is  Relevant  Involves relationship building  and rewards (intrinsic and extrinsic).

Problem solving aim of session: To provide a framework for problem solving which can be used by participants to address their own problems as well as helping a peer with their problem.

PEN model P - explore problem / possibilities (paraphrase and focus on facts) E – show empathy / focus on emotions / feelings N - identify needs, values and goals

POOCH P - PROBLEM O - OPTIONS O - OUTCOMES C - CHOICE H - HOW DID IT GO?

Looking after yourself aim of session: Participants will be encouraged to think about and acknowledge their strengths and to develop strategies to look after themselves.

Getting help aim of session:  To gain understanding and knowledge about help seeking, professional helping resources and services in their local communities and how to effectively access these services.  To clarify the helping role and to bring closure to the workshop.