Lewisham Young Women's Resource Project has been successfully facilitating
Peer Education Programmes in local schools for over 5 years

In recognition of the positive influence young people can have on each
other, a peer training initiative was adopted as an effective way to
approach social issues of concern to them

So what is Peer Training?

Peer training is about young people working with other young people,
enabling them to address issues in depth and with a positive, constructive
approach.

As part of the Skillswork Programme LYWRP have worked with and trained over
150 peer trainers to facilitate workshops. Those peer trainers have worked
with more than 1,500 of their peers.

The Trainers make a commitment to;

Attend all sessions
Evaluate their own progress
And
Communicate their learning needs to the worker

As Workers we commit ourselves to making sure that we:

Create a positive atmosphere within the group
Are
Sensitive to the individual needs of the Peer Trainers
Ensure that Peer Trainers are fully prepared to facilitate workshops
And
Thoroughly evaluate the programme and make adaptations when necessary

Peer Training is essentially about sharing information to improve the lives
of young people. It supports their personal development and increases their
social and life skills

Techniques used within the programme include:

Different uses of games
Developing a contract
Brainstorming
Drama role-play
Small Group Work
Discussion and debate
Feedback and appraisal
Evaluation

The Trainers are taught a variety of skills during the programme. These
include:-

Positive and constructive communication strategies
Planning Workshops
Working as part of a team
Problem solving
Active listening
Facilitating discussions
And
Presenting oneself

On completing their programme Peer Trainers are ready to run structured
workshops on a given issue with younger students. The Peer Trainers are
always supported by workers in each of their sessions

The Skillswork programme has enabled us to reach many young people giving
them a new opportunity to look at social issues that are important to them.
Issues that may prevent them from participating fully in society.

Lewisham Young Women's Resource Project would like to thank all the young
people who have taken part in this programme, without their participation
and co-operation we would not have been able to run the programme. In
addition, thanks to the Skillswork initiative, as it has enabled this work
to continue. And finally, thank you to all the staff at all the schools for
allowing this work to take place.