Published on: 27th April 2026
We’re making progress on our plan to have a peer support worker in every service, with 17 currently across our services.
Katie is a peer support worker with our structure clinical management team in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. She supports people with complex emotional relational needs, assisting with facilitating groups, joint visits and individual work.
Katie explains: “I chose to become a peer support worker because I have experienced my own battles with mental health and addiction, from which I am now in recovery.
"As part of my recovery, I have mentored people and found it to be an enriching and rewarding experience. I wanted to continue this work professionally.
"My role involves supporting people with complex emotional relational needs. This can include assisting with facilitating groups, joint visits, and individual work to guide what would be beneficial for us to work on together.
“At times I might support people to meet their goals of engagement within the community or attending our group.
“Peer support is a valuable addition to packages of support that the NHS offer. I believe that working with practitioners is much needed treatment that many people benefit from.
“Guidance from a peer support worker can add another layer of therapeutic assistance that enhances the work carried out by practitioners.
“I can offer understanding and shared experience through appropriately sharing my own story to inspire hope.
“Your vulnerability and the difficult parts of your journey you have worked through can often be your biggest strength in this work. I’m privileged that I’m able to talk about my lived experience in the workplace in a way that others might not feel able.”