The Peer Support Brokers Project (2021)

The Team

Empowering Communities Through Peer Support Brokerage Training

In 2016, ILA was granted funding from City Bridge Trust to deliver a unique yet accredited training programme designed to empower individuals with disabilities, learning difficulties, and mental health conditions. The Peer Support Brokerage training enabled participants to become Peer Support Brokers. They are independent guides helping others navigate their care and support options with greater choice, independence, and control.

Peer Support Brokerage can play a vital role in self-directed support in Health and Social Care. Brokers often support people in writing their own care plans. This usually when personal budgets are allocated through Social Services or NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups.

The training in itself has explored key developments, from the history of health commissioning, to the introduction of the Care Act 2014 and personalisation. Participants have also gained practical skills in such as budgeting, teamwork, research, and communication.

In over five training rounds, ILA has trained 70 individuals, aged 18 to 66 from across Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Redbridge, Havering, Waltham Forest, and Hackney. Many of which went on to take up paid and voluntary roles, further training, and even two even progressed into university.

The final round of training was delivered in Barking in January 2021. This project remains a proud example of ILA’s commitment to building community capacity and enabling peer-led support that truly does change lives.