Co-production
Discovery College is different from some other activities offered to young people, because it is co-produced.
That means that in planning and delivering courses, the team must include a young person with lived experience of mental health challenges, as well as a person who specialises in facilitating the subject of the course, and a person used to working with young people with mental health difficulties (though these last two could be the same person). The young person in the team is called a Trainee Peer or a Peer Trainer. Everyone in the team should have an equal voice.
Co-production also happens during the sessions. The people facilitating the courses will be checking with the participants, during the session and through seeking feedback at the end, about how they are finding different activities and any suggestions they have. Each new session is then planned using that feedback. A session might also change direction in the middle of it, because of feedback from participants:
“That’s what makes it better than school, because it’s like, whatever happens happens, you make it up on the spot…. you can change it, you don’t have to stick by a certain set of rules.”
We have found that co-production really makes a difference to the feel of Discovery College courses.
Why have peers?
We have found that working with a Peer as part of the team helps in several ways. (“Peer” is meant here as Peer Trainer or Trainee Peer):
Peers using their own experiences can ensure that activities are accessible for young people experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges; for example by ensuring activities present a balance between safety and challenge.
Peers can help to ensure that content is appropriate to the participants’ ages and cultures.
Peers understand triggers and coping behaviours and can play a vital role in early detection of distress.
Often it is easier for participants to trust the Peer (who has been in their shoes) when the Peer gives them reassurance that they will be able to manage a activity and get involved in the group.
The Peer can also reassure participants by talking about the feelings they themselves first had on trying out a new course.
The Peer is a powerful role model. By conveying that one can manage difficult feelings and mental health challenges yet still live a successful and meaningful life can provide a beacon of hope for many participants.
