A peer support group is a group of people who share the same concern getting together to give and receive support.
- you decide how and when to participate
- you can be yourself
- together we create an environment where we all feel comfortable and safe to talk about things that matter to us.
Being peers simply means that we are all going through the same kind of experience, and we’re all equal in the group. We’re all helping each other by sharing experiences, talking things through or listening.
In our case the thing we have in common is being concerned about the climate crisis, and trying to manage the questions, feelings and contradictions that come about from being aware of the climate and ecological crisis, while living in a society that is dependent on fuel fuels.
In our meetings we use our personal experiences together with ideas from research, journalists and experts to explore ways we can support ourselves and each other through the process of coming to terms with the climate crisis, coping with the sometimes difficult emotions, and figuring out what we can do to protect our world.
The benefits of peer support:
- Space outside our everyday lives to think about the climate crisis and its impacts.
- It’s encouraging to spend time with a supportive group of people who share your concerns.
- It feels good to contribute in a meaningful way to your own well-being, to other people’s well-being and to protect the future of our planet.
- You can go at your own pace and decide for yourself how much you want to share or contribute.
Sources
Developing Peer Support in the Community: A Toolkit by Mind
Klein, Naomi. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate. London: Penguin Books, 2014.