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Self Help → Peer Support

Peer Support

What is Peer Support?

Peer Support is built on shared personal experience and empathy, focusing on your strengths not weaknesses with the goal of achieving wellbeing and recovery.

It may be social, emotional or practical support but, importantly, Peer Support is mutually offered and reciprocal, allowing you to benefit from the support whether you are giving or receiving it.

Peer Support Drop-in Groups

Groups in the community are the foundation of our work. Our first self-help group started in the Zion Centre in 1995 and is still operating today! We now have 9 drop-in groups running across Greater Manchester alongside various workshops and courses which are tailored to a variety of mental health needs and aspirations.

Drop-in groups provide people who are experiencing challenges around common mental health conditions with the opportunity to meet and talk in a mutually supportive and safe space. Each group offers peer support, information and a welcoming environment where you can share your experiences, coping strategies and support each other to find solutions to your challenges.

Find a drop-in group near you

Take a look at the other services we offer

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Coronavirus update

In light of the current situation, we are making changes to the way we deliver services at the moment. However, please note that all our Psychological Wellbeing services are still open and accepting referrals. One-to-one appointments that would normally be delivered face-to-face will now take place over the phone or through video call. There is no need to call us to confirm – your regular point of contact will call you at the time your appointment was scheduled.

We are also no longer holding groups inside. We’re currently arranging alternatives where possible through considering walking or virtual groups. Please contact your group facilitator, or the centre where the group runs from, for more information.

If you’re worried, think you may have symptoms of Coronavirus or want further information, see the latest advice from Public Health England.

Finally, if you’re struggling through self-isolation, please don’t feel alone. There are local community groups being created all over the country, which you can find here. Alternatively, you can call our community centres in your local area, which you can find here.


Contact us

Due to changes in our working practice, in response to the coronavirus, we encourage you to contact us via email and refer yourself online where possible.

Please note, from the week beginning Monday, 23 March, we are not picking up post at our offices. If you have sent post to us at any time this week, please contact the relevant service to ensure that we have received it:

Manchester – Any queries about your referral or bookings please email us on: pws.manchester@selfhelpservices.org.uk or if you wish to make a referral please go to our website at: www.selfhelpservices.org.uk/Manchester

Stockport – Any queries about your referral or bookings please email us on: stockportpws@selfhelpservices.org.uk or if you wish to make a referral please go to our website at: www.selfhelpservices.org.uk/Stockport

Cheshire – Any queries about your referral or bookings please email us on: talking.therapies.ec@thebiglifegroup.com or if you wish to make a referral please go to our website at: https://www.mytalkingtherapies.com/

Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton – Any queries about your referral or bookings please email us on: thinkingahead@thebiglifegroup.com or if you wish to make a referral please go to our website at: https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/thinkingahead

Tameside and Glossop – Any queries about your referral or bookings please email us on: mindsmatter@selfhelpservices.org.uk or if you wish to make a referral please go to our website at: https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/mindsmatter/

eTherapy Salford and Trafford – Any queries about your referral or bookings please email us on: etherapy.admin@selfhelpservices.org.uk or if you wish to make a referral please go to our website at: www.selfhelpservices.org.uk/etherapy