Evaluation of the ‘Empowering disadvantaged Territorians through a peer model of education and support’ project: Report prepared for the Australian Government Department Of Social Services

This report presents the evaluation findings of the ‘Empowering disadvantaged Territorians through a peer model of education and support’ project. The primary aim of this project was to support individuals in the Northern Territory (NT) who experience mental health challenges and are either preparing to (re)enter the workforce or are seeking to strengthen their employability skills. Participants were supported through a strengths-based peer model that integrated peer education programs with post-program support delivered through a stepped vocational pathway into peer work. This model was designed to enhance participants’ health literacy, self-management, and self-efficacy to build confidence, skills, and opportunities for mental wellbeing and employment opportunities. The project was implemented in Darwin/Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs. It expanded upon the ‘Pilot and evaluation of ‘Recovery Together’ for the NDIS1 in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs and a stepped vocational pathway for peer work’ project (Tari-Keresztes, Gupta, Armstrong, Endemann, et al., 2023). The findings demonstrate a robust impact of the peer model of education and support in participants’ personal recovery, mental wellbeing, employability skills and employment opportunities. Participants from different cohorts, including individuals from the ‘Recovery Together’, ‘Growing Stronger’, ‘Progress for Peers’ and Certificate IV in Peer Work training program reported a strong sense of safety, inclusiveness and respect. They also expressed high satisfaction, and willingness to recommend the program to others. Participants valued peer connections and practical tools for self-care, self-regulation, illness and stress management and opportunities that led them to further employment. They described improvements in self-confidence, healthier daily routine, advanced facilitation, group management and communication skills, and improved or strengthened personal recovery. These findings underpin the effectiveness and appropriateness of the peer model that aims to improve personal recovery and enhance employment skills and opportunities.