Facilitating a peer support group can involve many different roles, conversations and situations.
This week, people from peer support groups and community organisations came together for Alike WA’s How to Facilitate a Support Group workshop, delivered in partnership with the Neurological Council of WA (NCWA).
The session created space to explore practical facilitation skills, work through common scenarios and hear how others approach the everyday experience of supporting a group.
Learning from different perspectives
Every peer support group is different. Group size, purpose, membership and the experiences people bring into the room can all shape the role of a facilitator. During the workshop, participants explored the different responsibilities facilitators may take on and worked through case studies together.
For some, hearing how others approached similar situations was just as valuable as the workshop content itself.
One participant shared:
“We are a small group at the moment so hearing all of what was presented and the thoughts of others in the room was so helpful and has given me great positivity.”
These conversations highlighted the value of bringing people together to exchange ideas and learn from experiences across different peer support communities.
Creating space for people to participate
Facilitation is not only about guiding a conversation. It can also involve thinking carefully about how people are welcomed and supported to participate. One attendee reflected on the accessibility of the workshop:
“Janel was amazing! She helped me with the hearing loop and ensured all attendees used the microphone too. She made me feel included and created a safe space.”
It was a useful reminder that small practical considerations can influence whether someone feels able to take part in a group or learning environment.
Working together with the Neurological Council of WA
The workshop was delivered in partnership with the Neurological Council of WA, bringing together people connected to neurological conditions alongside participants from other peer support and community settings.
Partnerships like this create opportunities for people working across different parts of the community sector to learn alongside one another and share approaches that may be useful within their own groups.
Thank you to NCWA for partnering with us on the session and to everyone who contributed their questions, experiences and perspectives throughout the day.
Continuing the learning
Alike WA offers practical training throughout the year for people involved in peer support groups.
Upcoming sessions cover different areas of group leadership, governance and development, with opportunities to learn alongside others from across the sector.
Explore upcoming workshops and training opportunities.
