Key priorities for MidCentral are reducing inequities, improving access to care, the improvement in health outcomes for its population and providing services closer to home. Providing ongoing continuation of care across secondary and primary mental health and addiction community services is crucial to achieving these priorities.

In response to He Ara Oranga, the Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, and to support the Districts transition to Te Mātāpuna o te Ora, we are seeking to increase Peer Support Services capability and capacity within our region to establish a recovery-oriented service by peer support staff to assist people with mental health and addiction issues to develop their life and living skills. A peer support programme across our three districts of Horowhenua, Manawatu and Tararua in line with our developing recovery-based integrated model of care which moves away from traditional services to access, choice and care closer to home.

Peer Support workers are an unregistered workforce from a variety of backgrounds who will usually be members of the local community. The expectation is they will use their own experiences combined with training to partner with people to support them to build their own skills, knowledge, and confidence to manage their health and wellbeing. In this context the term “peer” is used in its broadest sense. It refers to people with lived experience of a mental health or addiction concern or of a long-term physical health condition, as well as people who are matched in age, ethnicity or some other characteristic to the population being served. They work with individuals, whanau and groups, can see people in a community setting or can connect by phone, text or other telehealth resources when people prefer this.

Peer Support workers will work as members of a wider NGO team and be supported by the NGO with all required resources, support, and appropriate training. They will simultaneously be an important part of the MDT approach for the FACT team.