Scottish Recovery Network

18/09/2025

🤩Can you spot yourself?

An amazing group of people came together on Tuesday to share learning and experiences at our Peer Connects - Peer Supporters Practice Exchange!

18/09/2025

18/09/2025

"To really learn and grow in Peer practise- its so important to interact with others and learn from them too"

Did you take any photos with our PEER LEADER mirror on Tuesday?

We'd love to see them 🧡

To really learn and grow in Peer practise- its so important to interact with others and learn from them too. Thats why attending events such as the Peer Practise Exchange offered by Scottish Recovery Network in Glasgow yesterday is so valuable . Oh, and we also get your use their famous "mirror" now :🤣🤣 Scottish Recovery Network

17/09/2025

✨Want to build confidence & skills providing peer support to people affected by su***de?

We have a few places left at our Creating Hope with Peer Support workshop which we're delivering in partnership with the fantastic
discovery college next Monday (22 September) in Inverness.

What can you expect on the day?

Discussions and activities designed to develop ideas, share experiences and strengthen existing knowledge

Explore with fellow participants how peer support can be meaningful and effective in su***de prevention

An introduction to the Creating Hope with Peer Support Pathway: Connect, Explore, Hope and Support

An increased understanding of the practice of peer support through shared language and intentionally sharing experiences

Time dedicated to developing self-care and support strategies

A space to reflect on the value in what you are doing in peer support regardless of if you are at the start of your peer support journey or building confidence in your existing practice

This is a free one day workshop. Lunch and refreshments are provided.

Want to build confidence & skills providing peer support to people affected by su***de? Make a real impact & create meaningful connections!

17/09/2025

Data from the National Records of Scotland has revealed an 11% decrease (86 people) in su***des after confirming 704 people died in 2024.

We welcome the decrease but until we reach 0 people died by su***de there is still so much work to be done.

A social media post feels clumsy and inadequate but our thoughts and hearts are with the families and friends of the 704 who lost their lives.

Our promise to you is that, together with our partners and our passionate lived experience and peer support community we will continue to build the capacity of peer support groups and services in Scotland, so that anyone affected by su***de has immediate access to safe, compassionate spaces where they can share, feel listened to, and explore what would help them find hope for the future.

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/probable-su***des-2024/

💚 If you are struggling Samaritans can be called free on 116 123 (UK and Ireland) or by email at jo@samaritans.org

16/09/2025

🌟 Peer Connects - Peer Supporters Practice Exchange

Today we’re bringing together peer leaders from across Scotland for an inspiring day of learning and connection. We’re thrilled to welcome contributors:

💚 Paul Byrne - Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action
💚 Maja Mitchell-Grigorjeva – Bipolar Scotland
💚 Donna Paterson-Harvie – Neil’s Hugs Foundation
💚 Maggie Wright – Families in Trauma and Recovery

A chance to grow peer practice, share experiences, and strengthen our peer leadership community. 💪

15/09/2025

We are indeed facing a mental health emergency but we need to be careful not to respond to this emergency with more of the same. The status quo isn't working.

Mental health spending in Scotland is unbalanced, overly focused on clinical NHS services, and must be urgently restructured to support whole-system, community-based, and peer-led approaches that promote prevention, early intervention, and recovery. The NHS while important should not be the sole focus or gateway for mental health support. As a country we need to rebalance spending across the whole mental health system and shift the focus from ‘how much’ to ‘where’ and ‘what’ we spend on.

Central to this transformation is investment in, and partnership working with the Third Sector. Recognising and sustaining community-based innovation and harnessing the positive impacts of peer support roles and peer-led activities like recovery colleges. This innovation needs to be scaled up, not side lined.

It’s time for transformation of Scotland’s mental health system. The current system is failing to meet demand and is stuck in a cycle of “more of the same”. It’s about systematic change, not just service tinkering. This transformation requires valuing all forms of support, especially those outside traditional medical routes and embracing the knowledge and skills that lived experience leadership brings not only to service design, delivery and evaluation but decisions around mental health spending.

Reshaping the mental health system in this way would open up access, help to reduce waiting lists, provide solutions to an overwhelmed system and workforce and result in better, more person-centred support. But this can only be achieved if we rebalance resources, value and power across sectors.

EXCLUSIVE: The new figures have been pounced on by Scottish Labour.

15/09/2025

Scotland’s Mental Health: It’s Time for Action

Our new partnership manifesto launches today, backed by 17 organisations across Scotland. Together, we’re calling for urgent investment, early intervention & prevention, & a stronger varied system of support to end Scotland’s mental health emergency.

Read the manifesto here 👉 https://www.smhp.scot/manifesto

💬 The time for talking has passed. It’s time for action.

Our manifesto in regards to mental health

12/09/2025

Peer Connects event. Peer Leadership in Health and Social Care. Glasgow 2025. Photography by Brian Hartley.

12/09/2025

✨Are you based in Dundee & interested in the role of peer support in community-based mental health & wellbeing?

Or maybe you know a group, organisation or service looking to start their peer support journey?

We're collaborating with the fab folks at Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action (DVVA) to deliver a free 1-hour Lunch & Learn session providing an Introduction to Peer Support!

Join us online on Thursday 18 September from 12:30 -13:30. We'd love to see you...and remember to bring your lunch!

Book 👉

Are you based in Dundee and interested in the role of peer support in community-based mental health and wellbeing?

12/09/2025

A great day with amazing people who came together to create a vision for peer leadership in health and social care in Scotland.

12/09/2025

🎗️Today is World Su***de Prevention Day. Sadly, the Highland region is second only to Orkney for the highest su***de rate in Scotland. But we are here to lead the fight for change. If you or someone you know might need help with their mental health, substance abuse or addiction they can drop in for free, without a referral and talk to our peer supporters face to face before it reaches crisis point. Our peer supporters all have lived experience, so they get it. You can drop in at our Discovery College in Inverness City Centre. If you're further afield in Caithness we've recently opened up in Wick and we are also partnering with the Castletown Connections initiative to reach more people in rural areas. Find out more and our opening times here - https://centred.scot/discoverycollege/
Eastgate Shopping Centre Inverness City Centre BID Wick Community Noticeboard Wick News Castletown Caithness Community Caithness Noticeboard Listening Ear - Caithness What's On in Caithness Thurso Community Noticeboard Stepping Out Scottish Recovery Network Highland Third Sector Interface