Peer support groups
What are peer support groups?
Peer support groups are when people who have similar experiences of something come together to support each other. Peer support usually:
- provides a safe space where you feel accepted and understood
- treats everyone’s experiences as being equally important
- involves both giving and receiving support
- allows you to choose which parts of your personal experience you talk about, seek support for and use to support others.
Peer support can be helpful on its own, or it can be something you try alongside treatments for a mental health concern – or even as a helpful way of getting support while you are on a waiting list for a treatment. Lots of people find peer support improves their wellbeing and their ability to cope.
Read more about peer support on mental health charity Mind’s website.
What peer support groups are available?
We have listed below several peer support groups that are running in the local area and some of these are on campus. If a suitable peer support group isn’t listed here, you may want to look at our Local and National Services page where you can find lots of resources, including organisations who offer online peer support groups.
Small, confidential support groups for young women with mental health concerns. Offering a safe place for you to come and talk, listen or just be. Find out more about Georgia’s Voice on their website.
Penryn Group – Tuesdays weekly from 18:00 until 19:30pm in the Chaplaincy at Penryn Campus
Falmouth Group – Mondays weekly from 18:30 until 20:00 at Fairwinds Community Hub, 33 Church St, Falmouth TR11 3DX
Confidential and non-judgemental peer support in an informal, safe and relaxed environment for men who are struggling with any kind of mental health concerns. Find out more about Man Down Cornwall on their website.
Falmouth Group – Fortnightly Thursdays from 19:00 until 21:00 in the Dracaena Centre. See the Man Down Cornwall meetings calendar for the next session.
How does the climate and ecological crises make you feel? Sometimes our feelings can overwhelm us, so it can help to find a little Breathing Space. Our Breathing Space sessions are welcoming and inclusive spaces, led by trained eco-anxiety facilitators, where you can:
- Share your concerns or feelings about the climate and ecological crises.
- Meet with like-minded people and discuss your feelings with others, to gain encouragement, support, and solidarity.
- Learn about some different ways of thinking, activities and resources that can help you better understand your climate emotions, and how they can assist with defining and taking meaningful action.
Sessions are open to students and staff from both Falmouth and Exeter universities, plus members of the public. If you would like to find out more about Breathing Space or eco-anxiety, email: sustainability@falmouth.ac.uk
Upcoming sessions
Our sessions take place once or twice each month, and are led by trained eco-anxiety facilitators from Falmouth University and the local community. They are held in locations across the two campuses and in the local area – you do not need to book in advance to attend a session.
Find details of upcoming sessions on the FX Plus Events on Campus listing – scroll through or search for ‘Breathing Space’.
Eco-anxiety resources and support
Here are some additional resources, links and organisations that can help you develop your understanding of what eco-anxiety is, and how we can use it for good.
- Self-led resource on Padlet – On this community Padlet board, follow the pathways and key questions to learn more about eco-anxiety and connect to other members of the community. We welcome your comments on this Padlet (all will remain anonymous).
- Force of Nature – A youth-led CIC mobilising mindsets for climate action, running workshops and training programmes to improve people’s resilience and help platform young voices. Join their vibrant, global network using the form on the Force of Nature page.
- Cornwall Climate Action Network’s Wellbeing Resources – A local group working to create resilient and empowered communities where people and nature can thrive, learn more about their events and resources on offer here.
- Climate Psychology Alliance’s resources & support – Discover a youth support space, resources, a database of practitioners and more, coordinated by a diverse community that includes counsellors and therapists.
- ‘Tackling Eco-anxiety’ project – Check out some short videos, infographics and additional resources relating to eco-anxiety, produced by academics and students at the University of Exeter.
If you’re a university student and you need help right now, are worried about a friend, or would like to book in a chat with the student support team, book an appointment
Let's Talk About Loss is a peer support group for students who have been affected by bereavement. It’s an opportunity to be with people who understand the experience of loss. It is facilitated by Beth, every third Thursday of the month from 17.30 until 18.30 in the Chaplaincy on the Falmouth Campus.
This scheme offers support for 1st year undergraduate students with a disability, pre-arrival and throughout the academic year, as part of the transition to university. These 'Mentees' will be matched with 'Mentors' (2nd-final year students with a disability) after A-level results day; but if you would like to get involved in the scheme at any stage as a Mentor or Mentee, please email Peer Support (peersupport@exeter.ac.uk).
You can find out more about this scheme and other peer mentoring schemes on offer, including discipline-specific schemes, on the Peer Support website.
Please note: While they will support you with this transition, please be aware that Mentors do not replace paid teaching staff and so please seek advice from the relevant support services at the University where needed.
