Exploring the Lived Experiences of Volunteers and Peer Volunteers in Healthcare

Part One: Literature Review
Peer support involves individuals with similar lived experience supporting those less advanced in their recovery. These roles provide valued contributions to healthcare. However, summaries of research so far have not attended to the experiences of voluntary peer support. This review aimed to identify current research on peer volunteers. Searches via four databases revealed 15 studies; 11 were analysed using ‘thematic synthesis’ and four were described using ‘narrative synthesis’. Four themes emerged around peer volunteers’ experiences, motivations, role benefits and challenges. Results highlighted the perspective change and personal growth peer volunteers experience, and the challenges faced around forming relationships and managing demand. Volunteering enabled flexibility and occupational purpose. Thus, the peer volunteer role requires clearer definition, to enhance role clarity and future research, and improved support structures informed by clinical psychology.

Part Two: Empirical Study
Research illustrates how volunteers in mental health care in the United Kingdom (UK) provide invaluable support for people with complex mental health needs. They are a helpful resource for professional healthcare systems who have limited finances, and volunteers form part of UK healthcare planning. Understanding the experiences of these volunteers is important to enhance the sustainability of this support. Seven volunteers working with people with complex mental health needs were interviewed by the researcher. Data were analysed using ‘interpretative phenomenological analysis’ and four themes emerged. Volunteers found it hard managing distress and felt relied upon by professional services. Some volunteers managed their wellbeing through sharing amongst those within their organisation, they also turned to family and friends. Volunteers’ sense of personal growth and community outweighed the negatives, however, if this changed, they would consider leaving. This research highlighted the need for personalised support, enhanced organisational understanding of wellbeing needs, and for professional services to maintain awareness of voluntary sector needs during healthcare planning.