Learning, Education and Training Archives

Peer Support is now available for all NHS and Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) staff across Greater Glasgow and Clyde as a way to support our colleagues. We know that when people feel supported and heard, this has a positive impact on their wellbeing and resilience. It can help to provide a space for someone to make sense of their recent experiences, which can give them a sense of control and help them feel capable of managing difficult situations. It is a supportive and flexible response, which acknowledges and understands that stress and experiencing struggles at times, is a normal part of life.

To find out more, download the What is Peer Supp ort? Information Leaflet for Staff – NHSGGC

A Peer Support Framework

A Peer Support Framework for all health and social care staff working in the NHSGGC Board area was approved by the Board Strategic Executive Group. On the basis of the principles, conceptual framework, structure and governance arrangements outlined in the framework, the development of a Peer Support Network (PSN) was commissioned and developed by the Board Mental Health and Wellbeing Group with funding from NHS Charities Together.

Aims of the Peer Support Network

To develop a Board-wide peer support service with clear pathways between the various levels of staff support interventions.
To implement a model of peer support available to every member of health and social care staff.
To embed within services dedicated peer support trainers to cascade knowledge and skills throughout services through establishing and supporting Wellbeing Champions in all teams.
To ensure that recognition of the benefits of peer support is at the heart of all health and social care operations.

Peer Support in the Workplace: The National Wellbeing Hub

Watch these eight short videos below of NHSGGC’s Principal Health Psychologist in Occupational Health, Heather Connolly, discussing her experiences of implementing a Peer Support programme across NHSGGC and the HSCPs.

Peer Support in the Workplace:
Putting Theory into Practice

The National
Wellbeing Hub

What does Peer Support look like?

Have a look at what a peer support conversation might look like:

Scenario 1: Yvonne opens up to Peer Supporter, Simon, about feeling overwhelmed by caring for her unwell mother-in-law while parenting her young children and working.

Scenario 2: John speaks to Peer Supporter, Liz, about how the end of his long term relationship with his partner has taken a negative toll of his mental wellbeing.

The Peer Support model contains a range of interventions and the intensity of the intervention determines the role and required level of training, beyond the foundation level for all staff to access.

The Models of Peer Support

Across NHSGGC and our HSCPs, our Peer Supporters have been trained via one of the following models, which form the conceptual basis and foundation of Peer Support:

1. The Psychological First Aid Model

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is concerned with reinforcing seven basic coping strategies by:

Caring for immediate needs
Protecting from risk
Comforting others
Supporting
Providing information on coping
Connecting others with social support
Educating about normal responses

Taking good care of yourself is at the centre of the PFA model.

To find out more about Psychological First Aid, watch Principal Health Psychologist, Heather Connolly’s ‘Let’s talk about… Psychological First Aid’ webinar:

Let’s talk about… Psychological First Aid (Staff Wellbeing Webinar)

2. The SAFER Model

Several Peer Supporters within medical have been trained via the SAFER model. This is a Peer Support tool used within Critical Incident Stress Management to help structure a 1:1 supportive episode with a peer. It is a specific model of PFA that helps direct the conversation with an individual in crisis or needing support.

SAFER stands for:

Stabilize (introduction; meet basic needs; mitigate acute stressors)
Acknowledge the crisis (event, reactions)
Facilitate understanding (normalization)
Encourage effective coping (mechanisms of action)
Recovery or Referral (facilitate access to continued care)

Citation: The SAFER-R Model, Psychological Crisis Intervention, George S. Everly, Jr., PhD, ABPP, CCISM, Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD, CCISM, 2017

It is important to note that neither models are counselling or therapy models nor substitutes for them but they are both designed to help support our peers. Whichever model you are trained through, you will be a fully trained Peer Supporter by the end of the session.

Peer Support: Levels of Support (1-3)

All three levels of support, knowledge and skills for Peer Support are built on the NHSGGC Staff Peer Support Competence Framework.

Level 1: Looking after Yourself and Others

This is a short online eLearning module and is available on digital platforms in health and social care and is designed to support all staff in Health and Social Care.

The module title is: Looking after Yourself and Others, which outlines:

Understand what a normal response to stress is
Understand the basic elements of Psychological First Aid
Wellbeing – Learn how to care for Ourselves
Peer Support – How to support our Colleagues

Links to digital platforms are:
NHS staff available on NHSGGC LearnPro, search ‘GGC 277’
HSCP staff link to local authority online learning platform (module is called: Introduction to Psychological Wellbeing and Peer Support).

Live Sessions

Alternatively, you can view this content via live online or face-to-face 45-minute sessions, which have received excellent feedback. Upcoming MS Teams online sessions are listed below and are available for all NHSGGC and HSCP to book and attend:

Monday 12^th May 2025 – 8am – 8.45am – Book here
Tuesday 27th May 2025 – 11am -11.45am – Book here
Wednesday 11th June 2025 – 1pm – 1.45pm – Book here
Thursday 26th June 2025 – 2pm – 2.45pm – Book here
Friday 18th July 2025 – 3pm – 3.45pm – Book here
Monday 11th August 2025 – 4pm – 4.45pm – Book here
Tuesday 26th August 2025 – 10am – 10.45am – Book here
Wednesday 10th September 2025 – 11am – 11.45am – Book here
Thursday 25th September 2025 – 1pm – 1.45pm – Book here

Please bring the Looking after Yourself and Others Worksheet to this session as you will be completing it during the webinar.

Feedback from staff has been very positive:

“It was a fantastic course”

“I felt the coping strategies were very helpful to know.”

“The module has lots of helpful information laid out in an easy to follow style.”

“This is pitched so well for people who have little or no prior training in Mental Health”

Level 2: Peer Support – Becoming a Peer Supporter

This is available now and provides a full one-day in-person training session for colleagues to become a Peer Supporter. This has been designed by and is delivered by the NHSGGC Peer Support Service. Peer Supporters will have enough experience to meet the needs of their team/peers, and that the role is appropriate to their grading and level of seniority within a team.

It is essential that staff being considered for Peer Supporter roles are supported by their immediate line manager and the senior manager for their service to ensure they have allocated time to provide this support.

Become a Peer Supporter

Upcoming Peer Support training courses are promoted on Core Brief, StaffNet and email distribution lists. To join our email distribution list, contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk to ensure you receive upcoming training opportunities.

Upcoming Peer Support (Level 2) Training Dates

Training dates are now available for colleagues who wish to explore the role and requirements of a Peer Supporter and have the support of their line manager to implement peer support in their local team. This course is one full day face-to-face (9:30am-4:30pm).

Delegates should note the following prerequisites for completion before the training day:

Delegates to complete the online module ‘Looking after Yourself and Others’ (NHSGGC staff). The module is packed with essential hints and tips on how to look after your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. It is available for staff directly employed by NHSGGC on Learnpro, module GCC 277 and for staff directly employed by the HSCPs social care staff, on their Local Authority learning platforms. or ‘Introduction to Psychological Wellbeing and Peer Support’ (Local Authority Staff)
Delegates to discuss with their line manager aims for Peer Support and staff wellbeing in their team and / or service. Post course, delegates will be asked to agree with their line manager an action plan to implement local Peer Support and identify the time and resources to do this.
It is important to consider your own wellbeing before thinking about supporting others. Please consider whether you are in the position to support your colleagues before you attend this training to become a Peer Supporter.

22/05/2025 – Gartnavel General Hospital, Lecture Theatre, Book here
12/06/2025 – Stobhill ACH, Seminar Room 6, Book here
24/06/2025 – New Victoria ACH, Level 2, 16A, Book here
09/07/2025 – Stobhill ACH, Seminar Room 6, Book here
24/07/2025 – IRH Lecture Theatre (Education Centre), Book here
12/08/2025 – Gartnavel General Hospital, Lecture Theatre, Book here
28/08/2025 – Royal Alexandra Hospital, Classroom 3, Book here
10/09/2025 – New Victoria ACH, Level 2, 16A, Book here
25/09/2025 – Stobhill ACH, Seminar Room 6, Book here
07/10/2025 – Royal Alexandra Hospital, Classroom 3, Book here
22/10/2025 – Gartnavel General Hospital, Lecture Theatre, Book here
06/11/2025 – New Victoria ACH, Level 2, 16A, Book here
18/11/2025 – Stobhill ACH, Seminar Room TBC, Book here
03/12/2025 – Royal Alexandra Hospital, Classroom 3, Book here

Please note: this training is for staff directly employed by NHSGGC and/or one of the six HSCPs only.

Before you book, please also note the following:

Please only book yourself onto one training course (including only one waiting list). If you book yourself on to more than one, you will be removed from the attendance lists to ensure all colleagues have a fair and equal chance of attending this training.
Peer Support training is in extremely high demand with long waiting lists of colleagues wishing to become Peer Supporters. We kindly ask you to please cancel your space on this course if you can no long attend.
Your immediate line managers must approve your attendance on this training course. Please highlight to your manager that following your training, there is an ongoing expectation to dedicate approximately 1 hour a month to developing your skills as a Peer Supporter.
If line managers request more information on what Peer Support is and the evidence-based benefits on having a Peer Supporter in the team, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

The Peer Support Journey

See the Peer Support Journey for more information on how to become a Peer Supporter or if you are interested in having a Peer Supporter in your team:

The Peer Support Journey

Who are the Peer Supporters?

Various staff across NHSGGC and Health and Social Care Partnerships are currently being trained to become Peer Supporters. Each Peer Supporter has completed training and has the knowledge and skills needed to offer peer support to their team and colleagues. So far, we have almost 500 trained Peer Supporters across NHSGGC and the HSCPs and this figure is growing rapidly.

Meet some of our Peer Supporters:

Donald Macphail and Katherine Malloch

Katherine (right) is an Education Co-ordinator, Senior Charge Nurse in Adult Theatres at the QEUH and is available to provide Peer Support to colleagues who would like to talk openly about their feelings and worries in a welcoming, non-judgemental and confidential space.

Donald (left) is a Controlled Drug Inspector based at Clarkston Court Clinic Glasgow South. He is able to provide Peer Support in person or virtually in a safe, confidential, non-judgemental environment in which staff may wish to share experiences. His endeavour is to support, listen and provide space for staff to make sense of their experiences.

Lisa Conway

Lisa is a Lead Medical Administrator based at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and is available to provide Peer Support to members of staff who feel they need support. This is a supported non-judgmental conversation.

Keep an eye out for our Peer Supporters wearing identifiable lanyards and/or badges with the Peer Support logo.

Where are the Peer Supporters?

Each service may offer a different form of peer support to best meet the needs of their staff, area or department. You will be able to spot the peer supporters as they will be wearing their lanyards or badges.

In certain teams it would be desirable to have more than one Peer Supporter to ensure an appropriate mix of peer support available. At present, we have trained peer supporters in the following sites:

Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
West Glasgow ACH (Yorkhill Hospital)
Stobhill Hospital
Gartnavel (General and Royal) Hospital
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
Royal Hospital for Children
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Kirkintilloch Health and Care Centre
Shettleston Health Centre
Renfrew Health and Social Work Centre
Pollokshaws Clinic
Pollok Health Centre
New Victoria Hospital
Mile End Mill
Lightburn Hospital
Leverndale Hospital
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
Greenock Health Centre
Govan Police Station
Esteem North
Eastwood Health and Care Centre
Eastbank Conference and Training Centre
Central Decontamination Unit
Aranthrue Centre (Renfrew)
And more….

We also have remote working Peer Supporters who can offer peer support while you work from home to best suit your needs.

Supporting information for Peer Supporter candidates:

NHSGGC Peer Support Competency Framework

Level 2 Peer Supporter Information Pack

Peer Support training feedback

“The training has changed the way I speak to patients and colleagues”
“I think the most important thing I realised was it is not a formal thing, it is about the way we communicate and actively listen”
“The session was well delivered and informative. Well done presenters”
“The trainers were fantastic. Totally enthusiastic and knowledgeable which they passed on with ease.”
“It was all relevant, thank you. Time well spent.”
“I am extremely satisfied with this training”

How to speak to a Peer Supporter

Find out who your team/ department Peer Supporter is and arrange a chat with them.

If you do not have a Peer Supporter in your team, do not know if you have one in your team or if you feel more comfortable speaking with a Peer Support outwith your team, please direct these requests peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and the Peer Support team will be able to help. If you yourself are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter then discuss with your manager and come along to one of our training days.

Is it confidential?

Yes, what you say will be confidential. However, if the Peer Supporter is worried about your or someone else’s safety they may seek support from other relevant service to best help you. This would be discussed with you first before any action is taken.

Level 3: Peer Support Hubs

As Peer Support continues to grow rapidly, the programme is shifting towards a hub-model. This is when the team deliver in-house training to staff from the same service/area to become Peer Supporters to support their colleagues locally and develop a critical mass of Peer Supporters across the service.

Hubs have a Hub Champion who coordinates Peer Support activity across the service and works with Peer Supporters to overcome implementation barriers.

There are several hubs across the organisation including:

The Specialist Children’s Services Hub
Critical Care (QEUH) Hub
The Spiritual Care (Chaplaincy) Hub
The LGBTQIA+ Peer Support Hub
Diagnostics and Imaging Hub

Several more hubs are currently in development.

If you would like to speak to a Peer Supporter within a particular hub, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and state the hub in the email’s subject line.

If you are interested in knowing more about hubs or are interested in setting up a Peer Support hub in your area, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

NHSGGC Peer Support Competency Framework

Support for Managers of Peer Supporters

For managers who have Peer Supporters in their teams, please see the Manager Briefing Information Sheet.

Peer Support Manager Briefing Information Sheet – NHSGGC

Contact details

To speak to a Peer Supporter, for general enquires to find out more about Peer Support or if you are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter, please email; peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Royal Hospital for Children Colleagues

There is also a Peer Support Network of staff who work within critical care at The Royal Hospital for Children. More information can be found here: RHC Peer Support

For colleagues based at the Royal Hospital for Children interested in Peer Support, please direct all requests to: rhc.peersupport@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Peer Support is one part of the wide range of Staff Support and Wellbeing services available in NHSGGC. Click below for more information:

More Staff Support and Wellbeing Services

Peer Supporters do not provide a crisis service

If you need immediate support with your mental health please contact a trusted member of your community such as your GP, call NHS 24 on ‘111’, dial ‘999’ or go to A&E. To talk to someone you can call Samaritans on ‘116 123’ (available 24 hours) or Breathing Space on ‘0800 83 85 87’ (available 6.00pm Friday to 6.00am Monday and 6.00pm – 2.00am on weekdays Monday -Thursday).

Helpful Resources to Support your Wellbeing:

NHSGGC’s Staff Support and Wellbeing Services

Website: Staff Support And Wellbeing – NHSGGC
Self-referrals: Self Referrals and Counselling – NHSGGC (0141 277 7623)

Adult Mental Health Services

Apps, Helplines and Websites

National Wellbeing Hub

NHS Inform

Get help with your mental health and wellbeing | NHS inform

Practitioner Health

Confidential mental health service – Regulated NHS and Care Staff in Scotland

Free Apps

Sleepio (for insomnia) – Sleepio – Big Health UK | Helping millions back to good mental health
Daylight (for anxiety) – Daylight – Big Health UK | Helping millions back to good mental health
NHSGGC Free Mindfulness Apps – Collection | Right Decisions (scot.nhs.uk)

Staff Wellbeing Webinars

Let’s talk about… Staff Wellbeing Webinars (on SharePoint, which is an internal site for staff only).

The Let’s talk about… Staff Wellbeing webinar series offers short, information sessions to NHSGGC and HSCP staff with focus on various topics which we know are important to personal health and wellbeing. They are delivered in a format that allows colleagues to take away top tips and share with others.

These sessions are delivered live on MS Teams at the end of each month. For members of staff who could not attend the live sessions or would like to rewatch any, they have been recorded and uploaded onto SharePoint.

Peer Support Resources

All Peer Support resources can be ordered directly from the Public Health Resources Directory (PHRD). If you have not ordered from this site before, you will need to create an account. Search ‘Peer Support Resources’ to find our available resources.

Peer Support Resources for all staff

Resources for Peer Supporters post-Level 2 training

What is Peer Support? Information Leaflet for Staff
Peer Support Network Poster (A3)
Peer Supporter in your Area Poster (A4) – for Peer Supporters only
Peer Supporter Lanyard – for Peer Supporters only
Peer Supporter Pin Badges – for Peer Supporters only
Peer Support logo Stickers
Experiencing Low Mood? Booklet
Feelings of Anxiety? Booklet
Trouble Sleeping? Booklet

Thinking of Studying Medicine?

Medicine is one of the most challenging but rewarding careers available. The combination of daily academic stimulation, technical procedural skills and working with patients, their families and the wider healthcare team is one which few other professions can offer.

Medicine is a profession that is open to everyone. There is no “right” person to be a doctor but all doctors are united by a passion for patient care and a dedication to their profession.

Working as a Doctor means you will train in and probably spend the majority of your career working within the National Health Service (NHS).

The NHS is Scotland’s largest single employer and one of the largest healthcare employers in the world. The Chief Executive of NHS Scotland heads the directorates and is accountable to ministers for the efficiency and performance of the service and the work of the 14 NHS Boards and 8 Special Health Boards.

Find out more about NHS Scotland

The life of a doctor is not for everyone – long hours and witnessing distressing illness in patients at times can be stressful and emotionally demanding. But for those who are passionate about the profession the job satisfaction cannot be beaten.

If you are considering applying to study medicine we have created a number of resources you can access from the menu below to help you gain an insight into the career.

Please note that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde supports a number of programmes but is not responsible for content of an external website or involved in the selection of candidates for programmes.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

So you have decided to study medicine…

Studying Medicine – NHSGGC

Career Stories – Life as a Doctor

Virtual Ward Rounds

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Main workstreams

Apprenticeships

Get Ready For Programmes/ Career Insights

Pre-employment Training Programmes

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Further Information

Clinical Attachments/Observerships

Volunteering

As part of our commitment to widening access to NHS employment we host a number of pre employment training programmes in partnership with the DWP and a number of employability agencies across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Our programmes provide training, work experience and application support to people experiencing barriers (real or perceived) to employment enabling them to become competitive job applicants.

Everyone who successfully completes our programmes will be guaranteed to be offered Job Interviews for suitable vacancies across our Health board area.

Healthcare Support Workers (Nursing Assistants)

This five week Sector Based Work Academy programme has been developed with support from our nursing leads and the NHSGGC Practice Education Team.

This is an unpaid training programme however trainees registered with the DWP (Job Centre) or who are eligible to register with one of our Employability Partners will receive support for travel and other programme expenses for the duration of the programme. Job Centre Clients will not be required to attend their local Job Centre during the programme and will continue to receive their benefits.

This programme is designed to support candidates who have not previously worked in Healthcare Support Worker role to develop the skills and experience to help them begin their career as a Healthcare Support Worker.

The programme includes Core induction sessions on NHS Policies and Procedures, Ward Skill sessions delivered by our Practice Education Nursing team in a simulated ward environment and a 3 week hospital based work placement followed by application support and interview preparation.

All training is delivered by NHS Professionals and placement activity takes place on NHSGGC Hospital locations.

In addition all participants complete the Statutory and Mandatory NHS training (Learnpro) and issued with certificates and will complete the training required and are issued with the NHS Scotland Manual Handling Passport.

All participants who successfully complete the programme are guaranteed interviews for Healthcare Support Worker vacancies across our Board area subject to satisfactory report from placement and attendance at all sessions.

Who can apply?

Candidates who are interested in applying for this programme must not be in employment or education, be genuinely interested in training as a Healthcare Support Worker, available to be interviewed for vacancies at the end of the programme and take up employment if offered.

When do applications open?

We run programmes throughout the year and you can register your interest in applying by speaking with your Job Centre Work Coach or contacting one of our Employability Partners. We also advertise this programme at www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk.

Applications open 15th May 2024 at the following link: NHS Scotland | Jobs | Search here for your perfect career – Job Information | Apply for Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) Pre-Employment Training Programme

East Dunbartonshire: East Dunbartonshire Employability Services

East Renfrewshire: Work EastRen

Glasgow: Jobs and Business Glasgow

Inverclyde The Trust

Renfrewshire Invest In Renfrewshire

Rutherglen and Cambuslang Routes to Work South

West Dunbartonshire Working4U

Princes Trust Scotland The Prince’s Trust Wolfson Centre | The Prince’s Trust in Scotland (princes-trust.org.uk)

Support Services Assistants (Domestic and Catering)

This two week programme has been developed with support from our Facilities Managers and the Facilities Recruitment and Training leads.

The programme includes Core induction sessions on NHS Policies and Procedures, Practical Skill sessions delivered by our Domestic Supervisory team in a simulated ward environment and a 1 week hospital based work placement followed by application support and interview preparation.

All training is delivered by NHS Professionals and placement activity takes place on NHSGGC Hospital locations.

In addition all participants complete the Statutory and Mandatory NHS training (Learnpro) and issued with certificates and will complete the training required.

All participants who successfully complete the programme are Guaranteed interview for Support Services vacancies across our Board area – subject to satisfactory report from placement and attendance at all sessions.

To register your interest for upcoming programmes, please use the following link: Click here

Project Search

The primary aim of Project SEARCH is to connect young people with learning disabilities and additional support needs with competitive employment. There are no formal entry requirements. However, applicants must participate in a selection process, where they may undertake assessments and interviews with a host business, and education partners, such as their school or local college to be accepted on Project SEARCH.

Interns are supported through placements within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. They get hands-on experience and are given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities while learning new complex and varied, practical and vocational skills to help ready them for the world of work.

The NHSGGC programme is open to Glasgow City Council area residents and runs for one year, delivered in partnership with Glasgow Clyde College. Other Project Search opportunities are offered by City of Glasgow College

Apply (NHSGGC Programme) – Glasgow Clyde College

Apply (Other Project Search Programmes) – City of Glasgow College

____________________________________________________________ Main workstreams

Apprenticeships

Get Ready For Programmes/ Career Insights

Pre-employment Training Programmes

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________Further Information

Clinical Attachments/Observerships

Volunteering

There is a lot of information available on line to support you in planning your career pathway. These are just some of the resources you can access.

You can also contact Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s National Skills Agency who offer specialist support to individuals to build their career management, work-based and employability skills, throughout their career journey, from school, into further learning opportunities and employment.

NHS Scotland Careers Portal NHS Careers
Information on Education and Training NES – NHS Education for Scotland Careers Information
Information about NHS Careers My World of Work
Turn your personal qualities into an NHS career My Career Options.
How can I best advise my students? Information for Teachers and Careers Advisors
How can I best support my child? Information for Parents/Carers – My World of Work and Information for Parents/Carers NHS Scotland Careers
Skills Development Scotland Apprenticeships
Young Person’s Guarantee
Find out more about volunteering at Ready Scotland
YouCanBeaDoctor – Information and Video resources for those considering Medicine as a career.

Course Overview

In this module you will examine some useful tools and methods that can help you understand the skills needed for good time management.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Organise and plan your time
Apply priorities to your tasks to manage your time effectively
Recognise ways of scheduling time, managing distractions and managing e mail
Use planning tools to maximise efficiency and productivity

Course Provider

This course can be accessed online via LearnPro

Who Should Attend

All staff are welcome to attend

Pre-requisites

There are no pre requisites for this module

Duration

Self-directed learning but should take approximately 45 minutes

KSF Links

C2 – Personal and People Development
C4 – Service Improvement
C5 – Quality
G5 – Services and Project Management
G6 – People Management

e-Learning

This is e-learning course and is available via LearnPro. You will find it under the CPD category. For information and registration please click the link LearnPro .

If you need any further support to access this course, please contact the Learning and Education Support Team on 0141 278 2700 (Option 3).