LOCAL mental health support group Rise Warrington has scooped a prestigious national award – the Marsh Award for Mental Health Peer Support: Doing it for Ourselves.
Run in partnership with Mind and wider Peerfest partners the award recognises excellence in peer-led support for those experiencing mental health problems.
RISE Warrington lifted the prestigious award after being judged by an independent panel of people with peer support expertise, others with lived experience and representatives from Peerfest partner organisations assessed groups/projects within a framework of peer support principles.
The support principles can be seen on the National Survivors User Network website CLICK HERE. They also looked at how projects impact people’s lives.
Peer support happens when people work together, or support each other, from their lived experience. It can take place informally and formally, in all sorts of settings such as in user-led organisations, projects, support groups and in the workplace. It means different things to different people. It may also be called self-help, befriending/wellbeing groups, meetups, or mentoring. It also can take place online through digital means.
Marsh Christian Trust reported that RISE aims to relieve harm from self and others, through the sharing of experiences and the support of those who have been through similar circumstances themselves. The members take the group to the people who need support the most, providing an outreach service based on the issues that are most affecting the local community. Since the group was formed in 2018, over 200 people have received their services, 25% of whom had been in a suicidal situation. The group creates a safe space where people can speak freely, whether in a group, family or one to one session, depending on the needs of the individual who is being supported. The founder of the group has been living with mental health difficulties for over 40 years and has ensured that all the volunteers leading the group are people with lived experience. During the pandemic, the need for the group’s services increased by almost 400%, and they have adapted so that they can continue to provide their vital support.
Mark Moran, founder and lead volunteer was blown away by the judges’ notable remarks that read:
❖ Doing it for Ourselves – RISE Warrington
•Lots of good practice, peer support mentoring & training, advocacy support, family emotional support, saving lives, by working in partnership
•Great evidence of peer support and working with other organisations, including the local police.
•Powerful, inspiring application – they are clearly making a difference to their local community. They should be paid!
Mark humbly accepted the award from MIND’s chairman, Stevie Spring CBE; he declared his thanks in his unique way:
The online event was attended by over 145 people and was heralded a great success in these times of social distancing. The awards are usually held as part of Peerfest, the national peer support festival that celebrates groups of people and the unique process each of them follows in the service of others.
