Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mental Health Amplifying Voices for Systems Change

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 1d

#GlobalPeerSupportersCelebrationDay 16 Oct🎉

We asked Paul Byrne, Peer Recovery Development Worker,
DVVA..

What advice would you give to peer leaders trying to influence change in systems that still struggle to recognise lived experience as valid expertise?

youtu.be/ZFIQ09R1lFo?...

#GPSCD

Peer Leaders Influence Change by Sharing Your Impact

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 2d

#GlobalPeerSupportersCelebrationDay
16 October🎉

We asked Maya Mitchell-Grigorjeva from Bipolar Scotland..

What advice would you give to peer leaders who are trying to influence change in systems that still struggle to recognise lived experience as valid expertise?

youtu.be/I244a-bAj0g?...

#GPSCD

Book Now – Peer Support in Moray Showcase – Zoom

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 3d

Peer Support in Moray Showcase
Thursday 9 October
12:00- 13:00 OR 18:00-19:00
Online

Join us for an inspiring online session showcasing the impact of local peer support across the Moray community.

tickettailor.com/events/moray...

#PeerSupportScot

Peer Support in Moray Showcase – Zoom, Multiple dates and times - Discover the Power of Peer Support in Moray Join us for an inspiring session showcasing the impact of local peer support across our co...

tickettailor.com

What support do peer leaders need?

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 3d

It's Global Peer Supporters Celebration Day on 16 October🎉#GPSCD

To mark the occasion we're sharing a series of short films w/ important insights from Peer Leaders .

Getting us started is Lisa Archibald, Intentional Peer Support, talking about what support Peer Leaders need.

youtu.be/WOIOXNkdPck

1 1

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 6d

A few photos of our Forth Valley event

Interested in the role of lived experience & community-based peer support in suicide prevention?

Our next event is Glasgow on 21 Oct in partnership @nhsggc.bsky.social & Mental Health Network GGC.

creatinghopewithpeersupportlearnandnetwork.eventbrite.co.uk

Two event participants sitting at a table smiling.

A group of event participants sitting around a table sharing ideas and taking notes.

Event participants adding sticky notes to a piece of flip chart paper on a table.

Newsletter sign up - Scottish Recovery Network

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 7d

📩Our Oct newsletter is out with the third in our series of free Creating Hope with Peer Support practice guides.

This guide focuses on 'Supporting People Experiencing Distress ' & provides insights & tools from Peer Supporters to help you in your role.

bit.ly/OctNews2025

#PeerSupportScot

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 9d

🧩Tomorrow we publish our Oct newsletter with the latest in our series of Creating Hope with Peer Support practice guides.

This guide focuses on 'Supporting People Experiencing Distress' & provides insights & tools for anyone designing & delivering peer support.

👉 bit.ly/ScotRecovery...

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest mental health recovery and peer support resources and opportunities straight to your inbox!

bit.ly

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 9d

Going the distance: making peer support sustainable
7 Oct, 10:30-12, Online
#PeerConnects

Peer support thrives w/ the right conditions in place. Hear from Darren Sayer @penumbra-scot.bsky.social Hope Point Dundee & share ideas to help peer support flourish!

sustainablepeersupport.eventbrite.co.uk

A background of different coloured jigsaw pieces (pink, aqua blue, lime green, yellow and dark purple) with the text "Going the distance: making peer support sustainable".

We're looking for a Communications Officer to join our team! - Scottish Recovery Network

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 10d

🌟We're hiring!

Communications Officer
FT 37.5 hours
£34,043 – £38,824
Closes 17 October 2025

Are you passionate about bringing people, services & organisations together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience?

scottishrecovery.net/were-looking...

Are you passionate about bringing people, services and organisations together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience.

scottishrecovery.net

1 2

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 13d

#FilmFriday🎥

Look out for our very own Holly @thatstvofficial.bsky.social tonight at 17:45 (#Dundee, Channel 8, Freeview).

She'll be chatting #PeerSupport & the chance to take part in a free Lunch & Learn session in partnership with DVVA.

We'll share on socials too🧡

#ILovePeerSupport

Photo of Holly standing holding a social media board which says "I love peer support"

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 14d

Excited for Glasgow Creating Hope with Peer Support
#SuicidePrevention learning & networking event: 21 Oct!

🔥Some fab local peer support grps/orgs for our fireside chat - A Place Called Here, The Croft & Chance to Change

Booking open 🧡

creatinghopewithpeersupportlearnandnetwork.eventbrite.co.uk

Eventbrite

Find tickets to your next unforgettable experience. Browse concerts, workshops, yoga classes, charity events, food and music festivals, and more things to do.

pportLearnandNetwork.eventbrite.co.uk

Lunch and Learn: Introduction to peer support Dundee

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 14d

Based in Dundee & interested in the role of peer support in community-based mental health & wellbeing?

In collaboration with DVVA this free 1-hour Lunch & Learn session provides an 'Introduction to Peer Support'.

Join us online 6 October, 12:30 -13:30.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunch-and-...

Are you based in Dundee and interested in the role of peer support in community-based mental health and wellbeing?

www.eventbrite.co.uk

We're looking for a Communications Officer to join our team! - Scottish Recovery Network

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 15d

🌟 We’re looking for a Communications Officer to join our team!

Full time (37.5 hours)
£34,043 – £38,824

Are you passionate about bringing people, services & organisations together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience?

scottishrecovery.net/were-looking...

Are you passionate about bringing people, services and organisations together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience.

scottishrecovery.net

Calls for more mental health service funding to help save lives

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 16d

ICYMI 📽️

Powerful STV News piece with @thomascarthur.bsky.social
showcasing The Neuk Perth & Hillcrest Future's suicide prevention work.

Peer Support Worker Kelly shares lived-experience insights & COO Wendy Given highlights funding challenges.

news.stv.tv/v/calls-for-...

#PeerSupportScot

An increase in support for people living with mental health conditions is needed to help cut suicide rates, say charities. 704 people died by suicide in

news.stv.tv

The Future is Peer: opportunities and impact webinar

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 20d

💻The Future is Peer: opportunities & impact webinar
30 September, 10:00-11:00

This #PeerConnects webinar will arm you with evidence & insights help you champion the value of peer support with stakeholders, decision-makers, funders, local authorities, & beyond.

opportunitiesimpact.eventbrite.co.uk

Evidence and insights to help you make the case for peer support investment and action!

OpportunitiesImpact.eventbrite.co.uk

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 21d

Peer supporters from across Scotland came together this week for our practice exchange.

"The compassion fatigue workshop was amazing & I felt seen as I am currently going through exactly this, so it was great to discuss this with others who would understand"

#PeerSupportScot #ILovePeerSupport

A smiling woman holding a social media board above her head. On the board is a winding road of different coloured jigsaw piece pointing upwards. Text reads "the future is peer celebrating and championing the power of peer support #ILovePeerSupport"

Two men holding a social media board. On the board is a winding road of different coloured jigsaw piece pointing upwards. Text reads "the future is peer celebrating and championing the power of peer support #ILovePeerSupport"

Four people in a row holding a social media board. On the board is a winding road of different coloured jigsaw piece pointing upwards. Text reads "the future is peer celebrating and championing the power of peer support #ILovePeerSupport"

A smiling woman looking at her reflection in a large mirror. On the mirror the text reads "This is what a PEER LEADER looks like".

1 2

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 22d

There's a few places left at our Creating Hope with Peer Support workshop delivered with Discovery College in the highlands.

Want to build confidence & skills providing peer support to people affected by suicide?

Join us on Mon, 22 Sept in Inverness🧡

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creating-h...

Four people sitting on sofas chatting with hot drinks over a coffee table. A window, plant and clock are in the background.

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 23d

💡Inspiring day ahead at our #PeerConnects Peer Supporters Practice Exchange!

Hearing from peer leaders driving change in Scotland:

Paul Byrne, DVVA
Maja Mitchell-Grigorjeva, Bipolar Scotland
Donna Paterson-Harvie, Neil's Hugs Foundation
Maggie Wright Families in Trauma and Recovery

A rectangle social media board sitting against the wall. Text on it reads "the future is peer, celebrating the power of peer support #ILovePeerSupport". It also features a winding road of different colour joined jigsaw pieces heading in an upwards direction.

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 24d

Today we launch our partnership manifesto - Scotland’s Mental Health: It’s Time for Action.

Mental health in Scotland is at breaking point. Together, we’re calling for urgent investment, prevention, & transformational change.

Read 👉 www.smhp.scot/manifesto

#MentalHealthScotland #ItsTimeForAction

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 28d

🚨 Scotland’s mental health is in crisis & we need urgent action.

Next week, as part of Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership, we launch Scotland’s Mental Health: It’s Time for Action, a manifesto calling on government to act with ambition, urgency and compassion.

Follow for updates.

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 29d

On #WorldSuicidePreventionDay we’re highlighting the vital role of peer support in suicide prevention:

🎟️ Book now: Peer Support–Creating Hope
📰 Guest blog: Holding Space for Distress
📽️ New What if Podcast from Suicide Prevention Scotland

👉 bit.ly/WSPD2025News

#CreatingHopeTogether #WSPD2025

A collage of photographs of people at Scottish Recovery Network events.

Peer support getting started - Living Warriors Project

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · Sep 9

Peer support has a vital role to play in suicide prevention.

Nic, Founder & Co-organiser of Living Warriors Project shares their experiences of setting up a peer support group in Edinburgh for survivors of attempted suicide.

📽️ youtu.be/5PaQB5Y1En8?...

#WSPD2025 #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

www.alliance-scotland.org.uk

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · Sep 4

We support @alliancescot.bsky.social #MoreThanWords campaign for a right to communication for all.

Look out for our Projects Officer Lesley at Scottish Parliament today as we support the call for urgent action.

More campaign info www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/more-than-wo...

#CommunicationForAll