Peer work at New Horizons

Peer work is a unique approach to mental health support. It’s delivered by people who have their own Lived, Living, and Learned Experience Expertise (LLLEE) of mental health challenges, recovery, and navigating services. Peer workers don’t come as “experts” to fix you—they come as someone who understands and walks alongside you.

“Peer support is about being an expert at not being an expert, and that takes a lot of expertise.” – Repper, 2011

Our Peer Workers bring:

  • Real experience: They’ve been through mental health challenges and recovery themselves.
  • Enable empowerment: Supporting your voice, choices, and control over your life.
  • System navigation: Helping you understand services, rights, responsibilities and pathways.
  • Hope and authenticity: Showing that recovery is possible—because they’ve lived it.
  • Advocacy: Encourage Advocacy for Customers and Self-Advocacy

Why choose peer support?

Working with a Peer Worker can help you:

  • Feel less alone and more understood.
  • Be heard and respected through mutual understanding.
  • Explore recovery on your own terms.
  • Learn practical coping strategies from lived experience.
  • Build confidence, purpose, and hope.
  • Feel connected, not lost in the system.

Kalei, New Horizons Peer Youth Worker

Peter, New Horizons Peer Worker

Peer work at New Horizons

Peer Workers are an integral part of our multidisciplinary teams. They collaborate across services such as:

  • i. am program: Peer-led support for young people experiencing suicidality.
  • Mental health supports: Community Living Supports (CLS), Housing and Support Initiative (HASI), Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Programme (CPS), and Indigenous Mental Health Programme (IMH).
  • Disability services: NDIS Support, Recovery Coaching, and Coordination.
  • Housing and independent living: Assistance with stable housing and life skills.

 Who can benefit?

  • Young people: Facing suicidality or mental health challenges.
  • Individuals with mental health challenges: Seeking recovery and empowerment.
  • People with disabilities: Building independence and navigating services.
  • Those facing homelessness: Support for housing stability.
  • First Nations People: Culturally tailored programs like IMH.

Interested in becoming a Peer Worker?

Not everyone with lived experience is suited for peer work. It requires:

  • Strong relationship-building skills.
  • Emotional regulation and resilience.
  • Commitment to personal recovery.
  • Professional training and development.
  • Willingness to share your lived expertise.

For more information, contact Peter Schaecken at 0498 039 854.

Why peer work matters

Peer work is grounded in human rights and social reform, challenging stigma and promoting recovery. It’s about connection, empowerment, and authenticity, ensuring that every person feels seen, heard, and valued.

Our values

Hope | Equality | Respect | Mutuality | Empathy | Choice | Authenticity | Inclusion | Interconnectedness | Reciprocity and justice

Article by: Kalei, Peter, Michael, and Mitchell, New Horizons Peer Workers

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