We are very pleased to be running new Peer Support sessions in 2026. These are open to anyone who is registered with the service, including people who are on our waitlist.

We have Peer Support sessions online and in person. There is never any pressure to share your lived experience when you come to a Peer Support group. It is just about spending time with each other, connecting, meeting new people and building supportive relationships.

Taking part

There are limited spaces at all sessions and workshops. So if you would like to come along, please let our Peer Support Team know.

Peer Support Team
Email: peer-support@future-pathways.co.uk
Phone or text: 07552 393 019

If you need support to arrange transport to your nearest session, or need help with the cost, please let us know. We may be able to help.

Peer Support sessions 2026

At each session, we will talk about what Peer Support is and we will agree how we run the session. There will be time for socialising and we will provide lunch at all the venues.

JANUARY

14 January 2026, online
10:00am – 11:30am
Maximum number: 12 people
Online via Microsoft Teams

21 January 2026, Dumfries
11:30am – 2:00pm
Maximum number: 15 people
Theatre Royal
66-68 Shakespeare Street
Dumfries
DG1 2JH

FEBRUARY

11 February 2026, Dundee
11:30am – 2:00pm
Maximum number: 15 people
The Circle Dundee
Dudhope Castle
Barrack Road
Dundee DD3 6HF

MARCH

17 March 2026, online
10:00am – 11:30am
Maximum number: 12 people
Online via Microsoft Teams

Taking part and booking your place

There are limited spaces at all sessions and workshops. If you would like to come along, please contact the Peer Support Team:

Peer Support Team
Email: peer-support@future-pathways.co.uk
Phone or text: 07552 393 019

If you need support to arrange transport to your nearest session, or need help with the cost, please let us know. We may be able to help.

Mary, our Peer Support Lead, tells us more about the sessions so far.

Since June, we have held 4 Peer Support sessions – in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and online. It has been wonderful to see so many people attending. Some people are on the Future Pathways’ waitlist and others have been supported by the service.

We have been starting our sessions with tea and coffee, and time to settle in. Everyone at Peer Support is invited to share how they are feeling. Or, they can just listen and take part in a way that feels right for them.

At Peer Support, we also make a group agreement. This helps everyone feel safe and respected. We talked about the importance of respect and listening, and how we can make sure everyone feels included.

We have also been working on our Peer Support Tree. Each leaf shows someone’s hope for what they want to get from coming to the group. People have been writing things like “to feel stable”, “to be supported”, “to be believed and valued” and “to meet people who get it”.

A poster with post-it notes in the shaped of leaves.

Some people said they came to Peer Support because they felt lonely or were looking for something to do. Others were curious or wanted to try something new. When we asked how people felt afterwards, they said things like “connected”, “hopeful”, “inspired” and “not alone”.

Thank you to everyone who has come along so far. This year is focused on our group sessions and workshops. We are always looking for feedback and new ideas for things we can try in the future.

If Peer Support sounds like something you would like to try, we would love to welcome you to a session.

Taking part and booking your place

There are limited spaces at all sessions and workshops. If you would like to come along, please contact Mary:

Mary, Peer Support Lead
peer-support@future-pathways.co.uk
Phone or text: 07552 393 019

If you need support to arrange transport to your nearest session, or need help with the cost, please let Mary know. We may be able to help.

Information about Peer Support is now available in Easy Read and in BSL (British Sign Language). 
We include information on: 
– what Peer Support is 
– what Peer Support is like at Future Pathways
– how to take part in Peer Support sessions
We are very pleased to be running new Peer Support sessions and workshops in 2025.

There are Peer Support sessions every month. These are online and across Scotland. There is never any pressure to share your lived experience when you come to a Peer Support group. It is just about spending time with each other, connecting, meeting new people and building supportive relationships.

Taking part

There are limited spaces at all sessions and workshops. So if you would like to come along, please let Mary know. Mary is our Peer Support Lead.

Mary, Peer Support Lead
Email: peer-support@future-pathways.co.uk
Phone or text: 07552 393 019

If you need support to arrange transport to your nearest session, or need help with the cost, please let Mary know. We may be able to help.

Peer Support sessions 2025

At each session, we will talk about what Peer Support is and we will agree how we run the session. There will be time for socialising and we will provide lunch at all the venues.

JUNE

27 June 2025, Edinburgh
11:30am-2:00pm
Maximum number: 15 people
Out of the Blue Drill Hall
30-38 Dalmeny Street
Edinburgh EH6 8RG

JULY

16 July 2025, Aberdeen
11:30am-2:00pm
Maximum number: 15 people
Love Rara
6-14 Justice Street
Castlegate
Aberdeen AB115HR

29 July 2025, online
10:00am-11:30am
Maximum number: 12 people
Online, on Microsoft Teams

AUGUST

12 August 2025, Inverness
11:30am-2:00pm
Maximum number: 15 people
Spectrum Centre
1 Margaret Steet
Inverness IV1 1LS

SEPTEMBER

9 September 2025, Fort William
11:30am-2:00pm
Maximum number: 15 people
Nevis Centre
Studio 1
An Aird
Fort William PH33 6AN

23 September 2025, online
10:00am-11:30am
Maximum number: 12 people
Online, on Microsoft Teams

OCTOBER

2 October 2025, Perth
11:30am-2:00pm
Maximum number: 15 people
Culture Perth & Kinross
A K Bell Library
2-8 York Place
Perth PH2 8EP

NOVEMBER

21 November 2025, online
10:00am-11:30am
Maximum number: 12 people
Online, on Microsoft Teams

26 November 2025, Glasgow
11:30am-2:00pm
Maximum number: 15 people
The Mitchell Library and Theatre
North Street
Glasgow G3 7DN

DECEMBER

3 December 2025, Oban
11:30am-2:00pm
Maximum number: 12 people
Corran Halls
54 Corran Esplanade
Oban PA34 5AB

Peer Support workshops 2025

We have 3 workshops about different topics. Not all the dates and venues are confirmed yet. But you can still let us know if you are interested. We will then contact you when the details are confirmed.

First Aid mini session
August, Glasgow

This will be run by St Andrew’s First Aid. We will be learning about first aid and CPR. CPR is when someone gives chest impressions to a person whose heart has stopped beating. You can get involved with some practical activities like doing CPR or applying a bandage. Or you can just watch. It is up to you. This session will last 2 hours and take place in Glasgow.

Mindfulness and Stress Management Workshop
October, online

A local provider will run the workshop. They have worked with Future Pathways before. We will do a short breathing meditation and will learn about how to manage everyday stress. You can do the mindfulness exercises, or just watch and learn. This workshop will last 2 hours and take place online, on Microsoft Teams.

Healthy Eating and Nutrition Workshop
December, Aberdeen

This workshop will be at the Aberdeen Science Centre. We will learn about why a healthy diet is important and how to eat a balanced diet on a budget. We will also learn about how healthy eating affects our mental health. This workshop will last 2 hours and take place in Aberdeen.

Taking part and booking your place

There are limited spaces at all sessions and workshops. If you would like to come along, please contact Mary:

Mary, Peer Support Lead
Email: peer-support@future-pathways.co.uk
Phone or text: 07552 393 019

If you need support to arrange transport to your nearest session, or need help with the cost, please let Mary know. We may be able to help.

We now have Peer Support at Future Pathways. This is open to anyone who is registered with the service, including people who are on our waitlist.

You can find information about Peer Support and about our events in the booklets below.

Peer Support is a way of connecting with people who have gone through similar things in life. People can come together to socialise, learn and support each other. The special thing about Peer Support is that everyone is equal.

Peer Support can happen in a lot of different ways like social groups and learning sessions. Peer Support is not about fixing problems. It is about being with other people who might understand, and feeling heard and accepted.

Peer Support can help people feel less alone and more hopeful about the future. It can be good to spend time with people who have been through similar experiences. And it can help people feel part of a community. 

If you have any questions about Peer Support, or if you would like to come along to any of the events, please contact Mary.

Mary, Peer Support Lead
Email: peer-support@future-pathways.co.uk
Phone or text: 07552 393 019
Peer Support Main booklet

This booklet tells you more about:

  • what Peer Support is
  • what Peer Support will be like at Future Pathways
  • how to take part in Peer Support sessions

You can access the main booklet at the button below:

Peer Support events booklet 2025

In this booklet, you will find the dates of all the Peer Support sessions for 2025. We also have some information about 3 workshops we will be running.

You can access the main booklet at the button below:

If you would like us to send you a printed copy of the booklets, you can:

  • email us at engagement@future-pathways.co.uk
  • phone us for free on 0808 164 2005 (lines open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
Peer Support
This year, Future Pathways will be offering peer support sessions. Mary, our Peer Support Lead, tells us more about it.
What is Peer Support?

‘Peer Support’ is a way of connecting with people who have gone through similar things in life. People can come together to socialise, learn and share things that have helped them get through the hard times. The special thing about Peer Support is that everyone is equal and understands each other, because they have been through something similar.

Peer Support can happen in a lot of different ways like social groups, education sessions, one-to-one catch ups or with a mentor. Peer Support is not about fixing problems. It is about being with other people who understand you, and feeling heard and accepted. Everyone gets something out of the relationship and feels connected.

Why are we introducing Peer Support at Future Pathways?

We know from feedback that people registered with Future Pathways would like Peer Support. So, we are now taking steps to make that happen.

Peer Support can help people feel less alone and more hopeful about the future. It can be nice to spend time with people who have been through what you have. And it can help people feel part of a community

What will Peer Support be like at Future Pathways?

To start with, Future Pathways will offer monthly Peer Support groups – both online and in person across the UK. Sometimes it will be a social coffee and a chat. Other times, we will get guest speakers in to teach us something we are interested in.

There is never any pressure to share your lived experience when you come to a Peer Support group. It is just about spending time with each other, connecting, meeting new people and building supportive relationships

Next steps

The first groups will be starting in the next few months. You can let me know your ideas about what is important to you in Peer Support, what you would like to do or learn, and where we should run our groups. I am also happy to answer any questions or talk more about what
Peer Support is. You can:

  • email me at peer-support@future-pathways.co.uk
  • phone me on 07552 393 019

When the plan is confirmed, we will send information to everyone registered with Future Pathways (including those on the waitlist). We will also share information on our website, in our newsletter and on social media.

I am looking forward to starting Peer Support with you!