NHS Best Buddies Peer Support?

[midori1999]

Has anyone heard of this or does anyone have any experience of it? My HV suggested it to me today as I mentioned I'm considering peer support/becoming a BF counsellor in the future. (Mainly as I feel had I had more support and information, I would have continued to BF my first 3DC) It's an 8 week course.

I think my main questions are whether the training is any good and if doing it is likely to affect me being accepted for training in the future with any other organisation, but any information at all would be helpful.

Thanks.

 

[Lightworker]

I have trained to be a peer support worker, but I am not sure if its under the NHS or the Local Authority. For the purposes of my work, I am classed as a member of staff of the local authority as I operate within one of their children's centres. I do know they now provide peer support at hospitals for the first 6-8 weeks.

The course I went on was very basic really, breast feeding management, benefits of breastfeeding, cultural and other barriers, physiological problems such as flat nipples, tongue tie..nothing was too in depth, and most of what I know has come from the internet really.

In terms of how it will affect your career aspirations I think it can only be a good thing as it shows you have some experience, and to do it on a voluntary basis shows that you are passionate about it.

I don't think it will affect future training etc only because in my experience, the peer support co-ordinators as also interested in developing you as well, and will help you if you want to move on. I found it to be a mutually beneficial relationship. x

 

[T-Bex]

I'm a Peer Supporter, and it was really good, and very interesting. It gives you a basic crash course in supporting mums in breastfeeding, and also covers the scientific basics, and well as the correct positioning and attachment.

I'm not sure regarding how it'll affect the future, but it was a really good course.