Nuala Burton & Daniel Todd Young Persons Community Engagement Workers 18+ Peer champions Nuala Burton & Daniel Todd Young Persons Community Engagement Workers

What is a Peer Champion? A Peer Champion is a motivated and pro-social role model. A Peer Champion supports young people who may need extra support or are feeling isolated. Peer Champions support others by helping them access local services and resources in their community. Peer Champions can help act as a bridge between care leavers and Young Persons Community Workers.

What does a Peer Champion do? Peer Champions work alongside Community Engagement Workers to inform their peers about help they can receive from KCC and other local services and organisations. Peer Champions befriend and support in whatever way possible (e.g. help with translating, advice for accessing services etc.) Act as a positive role model so that young people have someone to look up to Relay any feedback from their peers to the Community Engagement Workers Peer Champions can feedback ideas about how we can engage with their peers

Why do we need 18+ Peer Champions? Continued support for Care Leavers and UASCs after they turn 18 Giving young people the tools and ability to act independently Prevention of isolation/affiliation with negative influencers Help improve relations between Care Leavers and the community Help us bridge the gap between ourselves and UASCs/Care Leavers

Peer Champion Training Education, Training and Employment SGBV Managing Expectations CSE and Staying Safe Online Child Protection and Safeguarding Substance Misuse Mental Health, Trauma and Self Care Role of the Police, UK Law, Rights and Responsibilities Diversity and Inclusion Benefits Life Skills- Cooking, Independent Living Housing and Conflict Resolution Budgeting, Finance and Debt

What are the benefits? Financial incentives Receive professional references from the Community Engagement Workers to support with university applications and gaining employment Extra work experience to add onto their CV

Who can become a Peer Champion? There’s no strict criteria, it’s open to everyone who is 18+ Open to UASCs and Citizen Care Leavers We are looking for those who are motivated, influential and gifted. All Peer Champions will undergo training. They, in turn, can train their peers.

If you know a Young Person who you think would be suitable for this role please forward their name, and if possible, a phone number to: Nuala Burton- nuala.burton@kent.gov.uk Daniel Todd- daniel.todd@kent.gov.uk Nuala’s area South and East (Swale, Canterbury, Thanet, Folkstone, Ashford and Dover (and areas in- between) Daniel’s area North and West (Medway, Maidstone, Gravesend, Dartford, Tonbridge and Tonbridge Wells (and areas in-between)