Peer Support

Aberdeen Cyrenians is an organisation built on volunteering and simply put, has always been about people helping people.

Our intention is to provide Peer Support Programme ("PSP") opportunities for individuals with lived experience in areas that we as an organisation support, including:

  • Domestic and gender-based violence

  • Drug and alcohol misuse

  • Cyclical homelessness

  • Survivors of childhood abuse

  • Multiple complex needs.

What is Peer Support?

Peer support is the process of giving and receiving non-clinical assistance to achieve long-term recovery from severe psychiatric, traumatic or substance use challenges. This support is provided by peer supporters - people who have “lived experience” and have been trained to assist others in initiating and maintaining long-term recovery, enhancing the quality of life for individuals and their families. Peer support services are inherently designed, developed, delivered, evaluated and supervised by peers in long-term recovery.

What is a supported person?

A supported person is someone who is a service user of Aberdeen Cyrenians and who wishes to participate in our Peer Support Programme and be matched with a Peer Supporter.

What is a peer supporter?

A peer supporter is someone who has experienced the healing process of recovery from psychiatric, traumatic and/or substance use challenges and, as a result, can offer assistance and support to promote another peer’s own personal recovery journey. The peer supporter volunteers to share portions of his or her recovery experience in an appropriate and effective manner. Peer support specialists are typically trained, supervised, and paid to be peer supporters.

What is a peer supervisor?

A peer support supervisor is an employee or manager of Aberdeen Cyrenians who agrees to support the peer support relationship. They will normally oversee up to five peer support relationships and will provide any support and guidance that is necessary to both the supported person and the peer supporter.

How the service is accessed

Please call 0300 303 0903 opt 3 or email peersupport@weareac.org to access support.

Who we help

The service is available to any of our service users at Aberdeen Cyrenians.

How we help
Advice and support is offered in various forms and can include:

  • Help new learners to settle into the programme

  • Help to establish good communication between Aberdeen Cyrenians and the supported person

  • Provide support for individuals who might be isolated or lack support and self- confidence

  • Provide support in getting to know rapidly changing environments and the use of new technologies

  • Offer appropriate advice and guidance

  • Help the supported person to see the way ahead – progression opportunities and career pathways

  • Give and receive constructive feedback

  • Help the supported person to manage time, plan and prioritise work, set goals and action plan, gain a better understanding of their situation.

  • Signposting to, or working alongside other services, groups and organisations.

Opening Times

  • Monday:

  • Tuesday:

  • Wednesday:

  • Thursday:

  • Friday:

 Please visit the out of hours page if you need support outside these hours.

Where to find us

62 Summer Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1SD