Peer Support Under Threat: The End Of A Much-loved Charity?

When peer support is done right: independently, relationally, and from a place of lived experience - it changes lives.

Every CAPITAL peer worker has their own experience of mental health crisis. We know what it’s like to be inside those hospital walls. That’s why we walk the wards not as staff, but as equals.

In a system under pressure, peer support offers something clinical roles often can’t: presence, patience, and connection.

Across 1,911 evaluations, 95% of patients found conversations with peers helpful or very helpful. 94% felt listened to.

Peer support doesn’t just benefit individuals, it improves ward environments. It reduces pressure on staff. It changes the culture of care.

“Peer workers take pressure off our clinical staff.” – NHS Staff
“They’re an emotional anchor for people going through a crisis.” – NHS Staff
“Losing peer support would be absolutely detrimental to the ward.” – NHS Staff

For £25,000 per hospital per year, you get 12 trained, trauma-informed peer workers embedding hope, co-production and independent lived experience into care.

But right now CAPITAL’s peer support in West Sussex mental health units faces termination.

With no provision in the upcoming West Sussex reprocurement, our peer service from October 2025, could vanish.

I am shocked that we find ourselves in this situation, particularly when the service is highly regarded, evaluates positively and has been established for 14+ years.

We talk a lot about developments in community transformation but should this come at the cost of losing other important peer led services?

Duncan Marshall: CEO, CAPITAL Project Trust