Peer mentors graduate in Cheshire

Our New Beginnings service in Cheshire West and Chester recently held a celebration event for its peer mentor graduates at the Storyhouse in Chester. Storyhouse is an award-winning library, theatre, cinema, and cultural centre, and is one of our Capital Card® spend partners.

The event was attended by the service’s peer mentors who graduated this summer, their friends and families, as well as those who will be starting the peer mentoring programme in September.

Other graduation attendees included: members of the New Beginnings team, WDP senior managers, staff from forfutures housing support service, Councillor Val Armstrong Cabinet Member – Adult Social Care and Public Health, and Director of Public Health Ian Ashworth and other local authority employees.

WDP Area Director, Dave Targett gave a speech about the value of peer mentoring within WDP services and our vision for the development of an independent peer-led service in Cheshire West and Chester.

Jane Murphy, Service Manager, New Beginnings said: “It was a very inspirational morning for everyone who attended. We were delighted to have our Peer Mentoring course delivered in Cheshire West and Chester and we are looking forward to our peer mentors joining us on their placements and supporting with the delivery of the next peer mentoring course. We also look forward to more graduation events in the coming years as our recovery community of peer mentors expands.”

Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health, Cheshire West and Chester said: “I was honoured to have the opportunity to attend the WDP Peer Mentor Graduation Ceremony event at The Storyhouse, Chester on 23rd August. The peer mentoring programme is growing from strength to strength due to the commitment of the peer graduates, and it is amazing to see how their personal experience of addiction and recovery, with empathy and without judgement, provides an invaluable offer to those seeking treatment and support on their recovery journey.”

Some of the feedback from our amazing peer mentor graduates included:

• “I very much enjoyed the peer mentor course, not only because it was interesting and led to my gaining a qualification, but also because it offered support and structure at a very vulnerable time in my life. The lessons were always friendly and practical, and the friendships I developed with my fellow mentors were of huge benefit to my mental health.”
• It’s a life-changing experience that has helped me gain more insight into this line of work. I would highly recommend this course.”

About New Beginnings

WDP’s New Beginnings service delivers high-quality personalised care and treatment for adults and young people from sites in Chester, Ellesmere Port and Northwich. If you live in Cheshire West and Chester and would like to talk to someone about your or someone else’s drug or alcohol use, please contact us on 0300 303 4548 or cwac@wdp.org.uk. You can also visit our service page for more information and to register for support online.