Inpatient Peer Support

Peer Support is where you connect with someone who has lived experience of mental health distress or addiction. Today, Peer Support is a paid role held by Tāngata Whai Ora who bring their lived experience into inpatient spaces. Peer Support workers are trained to offer relational support that honours your mana and choices. They are here to walk alongside you, share what has helped them, and hold space for your journey. At the same time, they help make sure services are informed by lived experience and remain accountable to the people they serve.

Peer Support is about real connection with someone who understands because they’ve lived it too. It began as a human rights movement, a movement led by people with lived experience demanding voice, choice, and upholding of fundamental human rights in mental health and addiction care. This movement said, “Nothing about us without us,” and it changed the way services are shaped in Aotearoa.

Where You’ll Find Us

Peer Support is available in Te Whare o Matairangi and Te Whare Ahuru. We introduce ourselves during your stay. You can also ask staff to link you with us or come and say hi anytime. It is your choice.

Our Foundations: Te Pou Peer Workforce Values

As outlined by Te Pou, Peer Support in Aotearoa is built on:

• Mutuality – a relationship of equals through shared experience
• Experiential knowledge – drawing on wisdom gained through lived experience
• Self-determination – supporting your right to choose and lead your journey
• Participation – ensuring you are involved in decisions, design, and leadership of services
• Equity – aiming for fairness and freedom from discrimination
• Recovery and hope – believing in your capacity for a meaningful life and healing

These values are guided by Te Pou’s consumer, peer support and lived experience framework: tepou.co.nz

Peer Support is for people who want connection and are ready to engage in a way that feels right for them. It’s for Tāngata Whai Ora (people seeking wellness) who want someone alongside them who understands and supports you at the level you choose. If you want a listening ear, shared experience, and encouragement as you show up for yourself, Peer Support is for you. This can look like one-on-one kōrero, joining activities, group sessions, or simply chatting when it feels right. We walk beside you and hold space for your path.

Peer Support can make a real difference when things feel hard.

We can help by being:

• Someone who can understand what you are going through
• A safe space to talk about what matters to you
• Feeling heard without judgment or pressure
• Support to make your own choices
• Hope and encouragement for your wellness journey
• Practical ideas and coping strategies that have worked for others
• A listening ear when you need it most
• Support to speak up if you want to share your thoughts with staff or whānau
• Increased coregulation of your nervous system