WHAT IS PEER SUPPORT? Peer-support includes befriending schemes where people offer support and friendship to other people of a similar age. work or status; mentoring schemes where older students provide positive role models to younger students in schools or experienced staff provide support for new staff in workplaces; and counselling based schemes where ongoing support is provided on a regular basis over a period of time. Peer-support also includes peer-education where people of similar age or background teach others skills such as reading or drug awareness; and peer-mediation where people of similar age or background provide a neutral conflict resolution service for others. Peer-support is important to all people because it improves relationships with their peers and it empowers young people to take responsibility for themselves in the school community, and workers to become more empowered in their workplaces. Peer-support helps young people and adults deal with and prevent abuse and can be used as part of schools' or workplaces' strategies against bullying. Key qualities of peer-support systems are: direct responses to requests for help; peer-supporters are taught skills to help people resolve problems; young peer-supporters are trusted by adults to be able to help others in distress; interventions are not punitive; peer-support often takes place beyond the classroom or workplace. Examples of peer-support with lists of institutions which provide it and trainers who teach it can be found on the Peer Support Forum website http://www.ncb.org.uk/psf Keep up to date on news on peer-support by subscribing to the Peer Support Networker http://www.peersupport.co.uk/