Scottish Recovery Network

14/01/2026

🌟 Please share! Free Peer Connects online event happening next week!

Evaluating peer support: tools tips & taking next steps
20 January, 10:30-12:00

How do we know if peer support is making a difference? If you’re involved in peer support and looking for meaningful, practical ways to evaluate your impact, this event is for you!

We’re working with a wide range of partners to make evaluation more accessible and useful for peer support organisations across Scotland.

At this event, we’ll be showcasing our new Adaptable Outcome Map for evaluating peer support, created to simplify the evaluation process and help you tell the story of your work with confidence.

If you’re involved in peer support and looking for meaningful, practical ways to evaluate your impact, this event is for you.

12/01/2026

Today we're piloting a brand new session for our training: An Introduction to Understanding Trauma.

15 peer workers are coming together with Lisa Archibald from Intentional Peer Support, and our Projects Coordinator, Hannah, to help shape the development of this important addition to our resources.

We're currently refreshing and developing all of our Peer2Peer materials, building on your feedback of delivering Peer2Peer on the ground.

Watch this space as later in the year we'll be launching a new online toolbox!

What is Peer2Peer? Here's a quick reminder:

Are you looking for help to develop peer roles and approaches? This short animation explores what Peer2Peer is and how to get involved.Visit the Scottish Rec...

07/01/2026

🧩 Next week we're launching the first in a series of 4 new Insight Reports exploring the current and potential role of peer support as part of Scotland's mental health system.

We've published a short article on LinkedIn which offers a taster from Insight Report 1 - Peer Support in Scotland - by unpacking some of the most common myths and misconceptions and why they don’t hold up.

🗨️ What peer support myths or misconceptions have you heard? Let us know in the comments below.

Peer support is widely recognised in Scotland’s mental health landscape yet it is still often misunderstood. While the language of lived experience and peer roles has become more familiar, assumptions about what peer support is (and isn’t) continue to shape how it is valued, funded and embedded ...

06/01/2026

🚦It's green for go as we gear up for the Let's Evaluate Peer Support Roadshow! Look out for events across Scotland including a session at SCVO's The Gathering & the chance to get involved online on 20 January at our event. See comments for link.

06/01/2026

HUGEST congratulations Latnem. So very well deserved.

The amazing peer support work that you are doing highlights its vital role in su***de prevention and mental health recovery 🧡

🥂✨ NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR LATNEM! ✨🥂
We’re ending 2025 on the biggest high, bursting with pride. We’ve received a formal motion letter from the Scottish Parliament recognising the national significance of the new film, “The Power of Peer Support and Su***de Prevention”.
The film was produced as a collaboration between Scottish Recovery Network and Su***de Prevention Scotland.

To our Co-founder Linsey, Sandy from Men United SCIO, and The Hive Kirkcaldy: thank you for helping us show the world how powerful peer support can be. 🤝

Huge thanks to Karen Adam MSP for acknowledging the vital role peer support plays in mental health across Scotland. We are so moved that the motion recognises LATNEM as a "lifeline for mothers experiencing mental ill health."

To our volunteers: this recognition belongs to YOU. Proof that your compassion, courage and dedication in preventing su***de is being seen at the very top. 🥂✨

***dePrevention ***dePrevention

05/01/2026

🧩 Happy New Peer! folks from all the team at Scottish Recovery Network.

As the momentum around peer support and mental health recovery in Scotland continues to grow, we can't wait to collaborate with you in 2026. This is going to be a big year for mental health peer support as together we:

- Launch our 10-year Strategy
- Share 4 Insight Reports to support the growth of peer support in Scotland
- Travel the country with our Let's Evaluate Peer Support roadshow and new peer support evaluation tool
- Launch a co-designed Framework for Peer Support in Scotland
- Announce the next steps for the successful Creating Hope Together with Peer Support project

and much more...

Best way to find out first is to receive our newsletter
👉 https://bit.ly/ScotRecoveryNews

18/12/2025

🌟 We're doing some self-care and taking a break from social media until the New Year.

We look forward to more collaboration with you in 2026, as together we make mental health recovery real.

Catriona, Christine, Eilidh, Emma, Hannah, Holly, Iona, Jane, Lesley and Louise.

Link to organisations you can contact for immediate support:
https://scottishrecovery.net/contact/get-help-now/

18/12/2025

We are looking for volunteers in the Forres and Elgin areas to support our brilliant Moray peer support team.

If you are a mum with lived experience of mental ill health who has some time to give please book a space and join our Volunteer Manager, Gill, to find out more.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1977493968693

17/12/2025

This is why we need to transform and reimagine crisis response and place mental health peer support at its centre.

Build on and invest in Distress Brief Intervention services and vital support, initiatives like The Neuk Mental Health Crisis and Su1cide Prevention Centre and Hope Point, Dundee Wellbeing Support provide.

"And equally we would like to be bringing it to key and influential people to demonstrate that peer support works in crisis situations. And 97% of the people that come through the door....don’t need escalated to a medical intervention. And we can hold that person here and work with them.."

- Wendy Given, Chief Operating Officer, The Neuk

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj01v8jdn10o

BBC Scotland News

Officers are spending more than 14,000 hours per month responding to mental health calls.

16/12/2025

Huge thanks to West Lothian News for sharing this important story about Neil's Hugs Foundation and highlighting the vital role of peer support in su***de prevention.

As Nicola's said in the comments 'Peer support saves lives'

💜

THE essential peer support work of West Lothian charity Neil’s Hugs Foundation has been recognised in a national su***de prevention report.
The new report ‘Creating Hope with Peer Support: 3 Years of Peer Power in Su***de Prevention’ is shining a spotlight on the transformative work of Neil’s Hugs Foundation, which was founded by Donna Paterson-Harvie.
The impact report was launched at Scottish Recovery Network’s national event in Stirling, led by Tom Arthur, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, and Councillor Paul Kelly, COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care
The publication brings together reflections, insights and real-life stories from participants, peer workers and partners involved in the project since its inception. Reflecting on the importance of peer support to Scotland’s su***de prevention efforts, Minister Tom Arthur said: “Peer support is vital in our efforts at su***de prevention in Scotland across all areas of policy. We not only want to ensure lived experiences are included in how we design our policy, but that those with lived experience who can provide that peer support, can make not just a life changing but a lifesaving difference.
"The Scottish government is committed to working in partnership with our communities and with local government to make peer support as accessible as possible."
After losing her son, Neil, to su***de in 2011, Donna Paterson-Harvie BCAh (British Citizen Award for healthcare), started Neil’s Hugs Foundation to support those affected by su***de and mental health challenges. The charity offers practical and emotional supports, creating connection, understanding and hope. Through peer support services like confidential one-to-one support, befriending, support groups, signposting, and weekly 'Cuppa and Chat' drop-ins at West Lothian College. These initiatives help people reconnect with hope and realise they are not alone.
Talking about the impact of peer support Donna commented: "I do not believe that people in positions of power and in general are aware of the impact peer support has in all of our communities and the pressure taken off from the statutory services by people with lived experience. People who set up charities and groups to fill gaps in support that they needed that are just not there."
Earlier this year, Donna (second from right in photo) led on the Baton of Hope tour in West Lothian.

15/12/2025

🌟This is absolutely amazing!

Thanks to Karen Adam MSP & of course the fabulous The Hive Kirkcaldy Men United SCIO Latnem & our friends Su***de Prevention Scotland

***dePreventionScotland

🌟 We are incredibly proud to share some amazing news 🌟

We have received a formal motion letter from the Scottish Parliament, recognising the national significance of the new film “The Power of Peer Support and Su***de Prevention.”

The motion was submitted by Karen Adam MSP, representing the Banffshire and Buchan Coast constituency, and acknowledges the vital role that peer support plays in su***de prevention and mental health support across Scotland. Thank you!!

This recognition means so much to everyone involved.

Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in the power of peer support. Together, we are making a difference 💙