Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Alison Rimmington - Senior Occupational Therapist, Arnold Lodge
What I changed
Patients have become peer mentors within IT sessions
How it benefited Service users and / or staff
Increase in responsibility and empowerment for the patient. Greater service user involvement in delivering treatment.
Why I am proud of it
Positive impact on patients. Confidence levels and feeling of self worth. Positive patients feel empowered.
Comments from Staff who facilitate the session:
Having a peer mentor enables staff to focus on other learners who have greater learning needs, to develop their IT skills. We have noticed that certain patients are more receptive to input from a peer as this can feel less threatening. We have observed how beneficial the mentoring the scheme has been for the individual patient undertaking the role. Most significantly we have seen an increase in confidence levels and huge improvement in communication skills. The mentoring role has also provided the opportunity for practice and further development of IT skills.
Comments from the peer mentor:
Although I was quite anxious when I first undertook this role since doing it my confidence has increased so much. Being able to support peers has made me feel valued and as if I have something to contribute. I have learned to communicate in different ways and have enjoyed the increased responsibility. My peers have said that they have found my assistance really helpful.
Project progress:
This is the first time we have used a peer mentor. The initial feedback has been extremely positive so would like to increase the use of mentors within sessions. We aim to actively involve service users further in delivering aspects of treatment.