Razem ku Zdrowiu (Together Towards Recovery) Peer Support Project – Evaluation Report 2025
The Razem ku Zdrowiu (Together Towards Recovery) Peer Support Project was run by Feniks in partnership with the Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) and Change Grow Live (CGL) and was created to address the mental health challenges faced by the Polish community in Scotland.
The project was created to help people in mental health recovery by building relationships between them and those with similar challenges. People who have regained balance can play an essential role as allies, offering support and understanding to others. By promoting a community based on equality, respect and shared experiences, we strived to improve the well-being of those beginning the recovery process.
The project has shown the value of a culturally sensitive peer support model designed specifically for the Polish community in Scotland. Using the CHIME framework, the project fostered meaningful connections, hope, and empowerment for clients and volunteers alike. The positive outcomes included improved mental health, reduced isolation, and personal and professional growth, highlighting the importance of shared experiences in recovery.
While challenges such as time constraints and the short duration of the pilot limited the programme’s scope, it has proven to be a vital part of Feniks’ recovery pathway. Lessons from the pilot emphasise the need for extended engagement, advanced volunteer training, and greater flexibility to better meet participants’ needs. These insights provide a strong basis for improving and expanding the programme in the future. We are grateful to the National Lottery Awards for All programme for funding this project and to the Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) and Change Grow Live (CGL) for their invaluable partnership. The opportunity to pilot and evaluate this model has been greatly appreciated, and we look forward to building on this work to increase its reach and impact.
