We are delighted to share our latest report, Co-designing peer support at Future Pathways. Created in collaboration with Voices for a Better Future, Iriss and Scottish Recovery Network, this report shares what we have learned from our recent co-design project.
In 2023, Future Pathways undertook a project to look at how we might develop peer support. We took a collaborative approach, working alongside people with lived experience who have accessed support from Future Pathways, as well as partners with expertise in co-design and peer support.
At Future Pathways, one of our strategic objectives is to support people to improve their own lives and achieve their personal goals. Through this co-design project, we aimed to explore the peer support and engagement opportunities sought by people who access Future Pathways and identify what these opportunities could look like. This would then give us a strong starting point to develop, explore and test ideas in future.
The project was underpinned by the principles of trauma-informed practice, and we took an appreciative approach which valued individual insights and group contributions. From this foundation, participants took part in a range of activities which uncovered key areas for potential development.
Through the project, we learned that people we support seek opportunities for people with lived experience to learn together, share interests, support each other, influence wider positive change and advocate for themselves and for others. Running throughout these ideas was the importance of creating the space and time to listen and be heard, promote hope and understanding, and generate connection, community and a sense of purpose.
In many ways, the collaborative approach of the co-design group mirrored the very support that people identified as being needed. For example, this project involved creating and taking part in opportunities to share perspective and knowledge, create connection and influence change.
We thank all those who took part in the project. Participants were deeply motivated to contribute meaningfully to developments that would benefit people with lived experience of abuse and neglect. By listening to the voices of people with lived experience and those of our partners and staff, we are all given the opportunity to learn, reflect and improve. We will take time to reflect on what has been shared and what we have learned, and look at how we can use this as the foundation for future activity.
This report has provided a strong starting point for Future Pathways. We recognise that interests and needs are diverse, and we will test options in order to build on what works for people registered with us. We will encourage community and inclusion, and aim to reach as many people as we can through any new activity.
Collaboration is key: we will continue to work together in co-creating projects that meet the needs of people registered with us, and share what we are learning along the way.
Above: Members of the co-design group at their last meeting in Dundee, 2024
“We were very motivated to take part in this project, because we believe that developing peer support at Future Pathways will make a big difference to people accessing the service. Through this project, we shared our ideas and got to know each other better. We are looking forward to continuing to work together to make sure the needs of people accessing Future Pathways are met.”
– Voices for a Better Future
“It was a real inspiration to work with such motivated colleagues, from both Voices for a Better Future and our partners. We learned a lot about what people felt would be most important in introducing peer support. This year’s plan was a direct result of this co-design process which included people registered with Future Pathways, staff, the Scottish Recovery Network and led by Iriss. It is hugely exciting to start work in this area and even more exciting to do so in ongoing partnership with Voices for a Better Future.’’
– Flora Henderson, Manager, In Care Survivors Alliance
‘Scottish Recovery Network values this opportunity to work with Future Pathways, Voices for a Better Future and Iriss to explore peer support and how it can be developed in Future Pathways. This collaboration meant that we could share our lived and learned experiences and bring a range of perspectives together to look at things in new ways. It may have been the start of a longer process but it has been one full of learning and potential.’
– Louise Christie, Director, Scottish Recovery Network
‘This project shows the importance of people having an active role in their own recovery and working alongside others connected by similar experiences. It was an inspirational experience to work with the Voices group who expressed a strong desire to make a difference to future generations. We are delighted that our partners Future Pathways and Scottish Recovery Network, are taking forward ideas from the co-design work and are passionate and committed to peer support for those accessing Future Pathways.’
– Ellen Daly and Kerry Musselbrook, Development Leads, Iriss
We are delighted to share the news that Voices for a Better Future has now been working together for two years.
The group was set up 25 May 2022 and since then, they have gone from strength to strength. They have met online and in-person to work on some interesting and inspirational projects.
Voices for a Better Future is a lived experience voice group. The group is made up of people who have accessed support from Future Pathways. It is a safe space where people can draw on their lived experience to offer guidance to the Leadership Team at Future Pathways.
Over the past two years, the group have taken part in many projects.
- They have given updates via the Future Pathways newsletter to share their work with other people supported by Future Pathways.
- They worked with Iriss and Scottish Recovery Network on a project about co-designing peer support.
- Some members of the group are working with the Procurator Fiscal’s office. They aim to improve processes for people who take part in the National Abuse Inquiry or who are involved in court cases against perpetrators.
- Two members of the group have taken up roles as Alliance Leadership Team representatives.
- The group is working on record search guidance. They want to help people who are trying to find records from their time in care. The group is using their own personal experience to help others.
To mark their two year anniversary as a group, we asked members to share their feelings about the group:
“One thing we have in common is when one of the group is missing we all make sure that person is okay.”
“I myself want one thing – to make sure that sure that the work we are doing will help and benefit people from past, present and future.”
“I would like to use a quote from Helen Keller who said: ‘Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much.’ This sums up Voices for a Better Future group for me.”
Future updates around current projects the group are working on will be shared via Future Pathways’ newsletter and their dedicated space on the website. You can view this here.
There are currently 13 active members in the group. Membership of the group changes each year to give new people the chance to take part. If you are interested in joining, you can:
- Let your Support Coordinator know if you are interested
- Email Future Pathways at engagement@future-pathways.co.uk
As the group is quite small, it may not always be possible for everyone to join at the same time.
This information was updated January 2025.
A lot of people register with us for support. Because of the number of people registered, it is not possible for us to work with everyone at the same time. This means that, for now, people are waiting longer than we would like for their support to start.
We understand that waiting for support can be difficult. We are working hard to make sure you can access the service as soon as possible.
Can you tell me how long I will have to wait for support to start?
It is not always possible for us to say how long people will have to wait. This is because timeframes can change. However, at the moment, people are waiting up to 26 months.
We know it can be hard to wait a long time for support. We still hope that you register with us. We will start your support as soon as we can.
I was told that it was not possible to say how long I would be waiting for support. Why was this?
Before now, we did not give people a timeframe for when support would start. This was because our timeframes can change. We wanted to prevent people feeling let down if the waiting time ended up being longer than what we had told them. However, feedback from people registered with us told us that it was important to have information about when support might start, even if that information might change.
The waiting time may still go up or down. We will be checking it every month and will update this page on our website if anything changes.
Can I get any other support from Future Pathways while I wait?
Yes. There is some specific support you can get while you are on the waitlist. You can find out more about this here.
Are some people able to get support before others?
Older adults (people 65 and over) and people living with a terminal illness have priority when accessing support from Future Pathways. For everyone else, we offer support in the order that they registered with us.
How will I know if I am registered?
Once you have registered with us, we will send you an Information Pack within 2 weeks. The pack will confirm that you have been registered. It will also give you more information about Future Pathways and how we work.
The Information Pack will also include a Support Agreement. It is important you sign the Support Agreement and send it back to us.
A copy of the Information Pack is also on our website. You can view it at:
How can I connect with Future Pathways while I wait for support?
You can stay connected with us through our newsletter, Facebook and X/Twitter where we share updates about the service, plus features and articles. Any events we may be having will also be shared through our newsletter and social media.
Where can I find out more information about Future Pathways?
Our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) answer a range of different questions about the service. You can view the FAQs at www.future-pathways.co.uk/faqs
Can I give feedback about Future Pathways?
Yes. You can give us feedback at any time by completing the feedback form on our website: www.future-pathways.co.uk/feedback
If you would like to get a copy of the feedback form by post instead, you can let us know by:
- emailing engagement@future-pathways.co.uk
- writing to us at Future Pathways, 40 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4RT
- calling our Registration Line on 0808 164 2005
FURTHER HELP
Your GP and NHS services
During normal working hours always contact your GP for urgent advice and treatment.
When your GP or Dental Practice is closed and you cannot wait until they are open, you should phone NHS 111 service for out-of-hours advice. The service provides urgent care advice and mental health support.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.
The Samaritans
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like. You can talk in your own way about whatever is going on. They have a helpline, email service, letter service and a self-help app. Helpline open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Phone for free 116123
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free phone and webchat service. It is confidential. It is for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16. You can contact them if you are experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Open 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday, and 6pm to 6am Friday to Sunday.
Phone for free 0800 83 85 87
Shout
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Text SHOUT to 85258