Ear 4U - Peer Support from People with Lived Experience

24/12/2023

💯 this is why it’s so important to be open minded and thoughtful ❤️

The holiday season can be a stressful time.

Someone you know might be spending it without a loved one, experiencing family difficulties, feeling lonely, facing financial pressure, or missing celebrations because they’re working.

Remember, there’s no one size fits all for Christmas. It’s about doing it in a way that works for you and looking out for those you care about.

Find more holiday tips from our ambassadors at https://bit.ly/48fVnZn

24/12/2023

🌟 CHRISTMAS NOTICE 🌟

Wishing all my friends a truely joyous and wonderful Christmas! 🎅🏼

Some of the best gifts we can give one another, can easily be done, on a daily basis, and doesn’t cost a cent are:

- unconditional love
- our time
- respect
- support
- kindness
- encouragement and hope
- belief in you
- compassion
- appreciation (you get the idea)

The receiving of these gifts are usually taken for granted which is why, if you have someone in your life that gives you this gift, I would be nice if you take a moment, right now, to be completely present, mindful, and be grateful for each relationship you have with each person that gifts you this! 🎁

On this note I wanted to say a massive thank you to each friend of mine who has gifted me one or more of the above gifts, anyone who has made me feel valued or special, specifically with words of affirmation which is my love language. You people are the ones that keep me going, and help me shine my light of positivity over others who need encouragement and hope in their life - you remind me that there is purpose to my life! 🤗💫

Stay safe and take care of each other these holidays and whenever you can! You don’t know when someone will just disappear from your life! Blessings to all you amazing humans out there! ❤️✌🏼

02/01/2023

Just a simple reminder that sometimes all we need to do is slow down! We are an intuitive beings, just take a moment to relax in silence and just feel. If you have a thought remind yourself “I am not my thought” and be the watcher/third party to any further thoughts you may have 💚

26/10/2022

‘I have never heard an audience so quiet, even before you got into the very sort of personal details of the story.’

24/09/2022

💯 ALL LIVES MATTER!!

15/09/2022

HOW CAN PEER SUPPORT HELP YOU?

The purpose of Peer Work is to approach the way society deals with mental health in a whole new way! It is a non-clinical strength based approach, where self determination is an empowering component. It reduces the stigma and promotes social justice, so that people aren’t afraid to seek support and can be rest assured that they are in the drivers seat on their own journey of healing.

The Charter of Peer Support outlines perfectly what Lived Experience Workers do and why it is integral part of the way we deal with Mental Health now and forever.

Please take the time to read the attached photos to better understand what Peer Support can do for those experiencing life disruptions and struggling to navigate through life with mental health conditions.

15/09/2022

WHAT IS A PEER SUPPORT WORKER?

Peer Support Workers are also referred to as Lived Experience Workers (LEW), this is because that is what they primarily do. They are able to draw upon their own lived experience of mental health and recovery to support others on their journey to a more fulfilling life.

Peer Workers are able to use their unique skills, such as vulnerability and authenticity to establish valuable and genuine connections and provide hope and encouragement for others. Think of them as a bit like a life coach or a councillor, but without the power dynamic and formality. There is absolutely no judgement, only empathetic and practical support because they understand what it is like to be in the other persons shoes.

There is no universally accepted definition of peer support, however Sherry Mead, a mental health activist and founder of Intentional Peer Support, gave the following definition: "Peer support is a system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful. Peer support is not based on psychiatric models and diagnostic criteria. It is about understanding another’s situation empathically through the shared experience of emotional and psychological pain. When people find affiliation with others they feel are 'like' them, they feel a connection. This connection, or affiliation, is a deep, holistic understanding based on mutual experience where people are able to 'be' with each other without the constraints of traditional (expert/patient) relationships.”

03/09/2022

Welcome to my Page - Thanks for Visiting! 👋🏼

My name is Jade Mitchell and I am qualified Mental Health Peer Support Worker which is also known as a Lived Experience Worker (LEW).

Most people aren’t aware of the Service I provide so over my next few posts I would like to share with you a few things such as:

1. What is Peer Support 🤷🏼‍♀️ and how Peer Support can help people struggling with their mental health and/or addictions 🙌🏼
2. Timeline of Peer Support outlining recognition and support from governments nationally and worldwide 🌏
3. What is it we learn in order to become a qualified Mental Health Peer Support Worker 📚places to go to learn Peer Support 🖥 and how you can work with me at Ear 4U helping others by using your own lived experience 🫶🏼

So stay tuned and don’t hesitate to reach out by clicking on the ‘MESSAGE’ button if you have any queries. 💜✌🏼

16/06/2022

We want to make it as easy as possible to connect with you! We are now reachable using WhatsApp 💁‍♀️📞