BCS Peer Support project officer Sonja Dorje said over the past 18 months the service had trained locals as peer workers, a new role helping people with a mental illness.

“A peer worker is someone who has had to deal with their own mental illness who has recovered, enabling them to utilise their personal experience to encourage, support and educate others,” she said.

“Peer workers have also acknowledged that it helps their recovery and personal management as well as the clients.”

Peer worker Julie Treagus said her role was “basically getting paid to do something every person does with friends and family - listening and having a chat over a cuppa”.

“The work is rewarding,” she said.

“People are often drawn to it because of what they’ve experienced and they can therefore pass on this knowledge.

“Peer workers receive a lot of support from the organisation and I find this builds confidence and you can relate this to the people you help.”

The Baptist Community Services Peer Project recruits and trains potential peer workers, helps to support the employing organisations and offers mentoring to peer workers following their employment.

Other positions would soon open up and Ms Dorje invites people to consider this as a possible career for them.

“The first step in the training pathway for those interested in peer work is an information session which provides an overview to the course content.”

The next information session will be held at the Baptist Church Hall on Tuesday, May 20 from 10am to 11am.