Lesson 5 of 9

Safety, Ground Rules, Choice and Control

TASK ONE

Turn to p14 of your workbook and let’s look at an example of a peer group code of conduct.

In the context of the peer group you are hoping to run, decide whether these examples are:

1 –  relevant

2 –  not relevant

TASK TWO

Deciding on the Ground Rules

Turn to page 15 of your workbook.

Having considered the exemplar ‘code of conduct/ground rules’, are there any that you think are missing? If so, add these into the space provided. Once you’ve done this, consider the following questions:

  • Who do you think should create the code of conduct/ground rules? 
  • How will you use these within the group? 
  • What happens if someone breaks one of the ground rules?
  • When might the ground rules need revising?

TASK THREE

The Importance of Giving Members Choice and Control

According to MIND, people must be able to choose whether and how they participate in peer support. This includes control over:

• when they attend or take part

• how often they attend

• what they choose to share

• what support they want to try

• what role they take in a group or an interaction

• how long they stay in peer support.

Now turn to p16 of your workbook  – considering what we have just learned about the importance of CHOICE and CONTROL, is there anything that needs to be changed or added to your previous ground rules?  

Use the checklist below to guide you:

• Is it generally okay not to say anything?

• Are members able to decide how the peer support is run?

• Are there ways to provide feedback either anonymously, or in a way that doesn’t require talking with the whole group? 

You have now reached the end of lesson 5 –  Congratulations. Feel free to take a break here or move straight onto lesson 6.