Peer Support

What is Peer Support and how can it help me?

Our face-to-face Peer Support services have been temporarily suspended during COVID-19, however, we are running virtual online groups and offering telephone support calls. Please visit our Peer Support page in our Help During Coronavirus section here.

This service is about giving carers the chance to meet and make friends with other carers, providing each other with mutual support and understanding. We appreciate how difficult it can be to meet new people and make new friends; our staff are experts at keeping gatherings informal and relaxed and will support you in getting to know some of the other carers in your area.

How can it help me?

• Making friends and acquaintances with other carers has been shown to improve the wellbeing of carers
• We understand that carers can feel isolated and having links to other carers for mutual support can help to alleviate this
• It is often easier to cope when you know others who are in a similar situation
• Friends with caring responsibilities understand better than most the restrictions that being a carer can place on you and your ability to keep a social schedule
• New friendships with carers can increase your sense of connection to the local community as you get to know people locally

How can I get involved?

If you feel that you would benefit from Peer Support please contact us via email info@devoncarers.org.uk, on webchat by clicking on the ‘ask’ button on our website or phone our helpline 03456 434 435 to discuss getting involved. You can also mention it to your Carers Support Officer when you have a carers assessment or a review.