Boost

A course to help build emotional resilience and improve wellbeing.

Benefit of peer support

“Peer support” refers to a process through which people who share common experiences or face similar challenges come together as equals to give and receive help based on the knowledge that comes through shared experience. Peer support groups aim to improve the well-being of attendees by providing increased social connections with their peers. Fostering relationships among people can help prevent significant mental health problems such as major depression and debilitating anxiety or help to cope with long term illnesses such as dementia. Peer Support groups offer a reassuring, confidential and safe place to talk to others about how problems or situations affect their lives.

Location

No93 - Health and Wellbeing Centre

Harpurhey

Project team

No93

Aim

The aim of the project was to improve emotional wellbeing and resilience and teach coping strategies for stressful situations

The boost course is a free 7 week training course aimed at improving emotional wellbeing and resilience by teaching coping strategies that individuals can take in to their everyday lives

This is a training programme that has been run by buzz in the past and has been popular with services and the community.

We have received feedback via community conversations and services getting in touch saying that they would like to attend a boost course hence we set one up

After the course we will deliver a reunion session, around 4/5 weeks after to see how people have been feeling since the session finished

Testimonials:

‘This course has been a contributing factor in increasing my social activity.’

‘It helps you to be self-aware and gives you a better understanding to deal with life’s hurdles’

‘I now have a better outlook on life and how to handle situations differently in stead of me having a break down’

‘This course has helped me to understand myself more and really helps me to improve my wellbeing’

‘Its impowering and practical for one’s health and wellbeing, I make more of an effort to prioritise my time in order to ensure that I take care of my needs. It has also help me feel more confident and open to healthy change.’

Evaluation

The course was successful and helped people who attended to grow in confidence and improved their wellbeing.

Strategic links to local/national policies

Benefit	Policy
Increased mental wellbeing	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy Greater Manchester Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Increased social connections	Manchester Population Health Plan NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014)
Shared knowledge & experiences	Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) Manchester’s Self-Care Strategy
Help with problems/disabilities	Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) Manchester Prevention Programme
Lessen isolation and loneliness	Manchester Population Health Plan NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health,2014) Greater Manchester Age Friendly Strategy