An explainer on... the Peer Support Line 

In 2023, the PSL received 465 calls, a year-on-year increase of 125%. Throughout the year several common themes emerged in the types of issues identified by callers, the most common being employment issues – something raised by 26% of callers.

Of the calls received by the PSL, 14% were regarding stress, working conditions, and mental health, respectively, while another 10% of calls were linked to topics of family and relationships.

We have the most fantastic team of volunteers at the PSL. They are such an empathetic, positive, and caring group and volunteer because they really want to help people

 
The calls covered issues inside and outside of the workplace, and it is good to know that callers feel they can come to the support line with whatever is bothering them. Our volunteers are there to help them talk it through.

In the past year, our volunteers noticed a significant increase in calls from pre-registration optometrists who are facing the pressures of starting their careers.

Many of these pre-regs have seen large parts of their education or training affected by the pandemic and restrictions. They might not have had the same level of exposure to patients in a normal practice setting. This additional pressure seems to be making things even more difficult for this cohort than in previous years.

The AOP is introducing an additional service to the PSL this year that will provide dedicated support to pre-regs.

The service runs on a referral basis so callers will still contact the PSL to speak with one of our volunteers. If the volunteer believes it might be helpful for the caller to be referred to the pre-reg service, they can offer for one of our pre-reg specialists, who are either pre-regs themselves or have recently qualified, to arrange an additional follow-up call.

The pre-reg specialists have received all of the same training as the PSL volunteers, and their calls will run in exactly the same confidential and non-judgemental way, but these will be true peers who understand the issues and pressures that pre-regs might be facing.

On set days throughout the month, the pre-reg specialist will check in with referred callers to see how they are feeling, and if they would like to discuss the issues they are facing in more detail. As with the PSL, the service will not be there to provide advice but to act as a listening service.

It is really exciting to be launching this additional service. Over the past nine months we have been looking at what support we can offer to our existing PSL volunteers to ensure they had the best information. Our volunteers are fantastic listeners, but for some their pre-reg may have been a considerable time ago and have been in a different situation to the one the caller may be in. The pre-reg service is a new opportunity to expand the PSL, offering additional support for this group.

We have the most fantastic team of volunteers at the PSL. They are such an empathetic, positive, and caring group and volunteer because they really want to help people.

The confidential and free-phone Peer Support Line is available 24 hours a day, with volunteers on duty to return calls between 8am and 8pm. Call the line on 0800 870 8401. 

Coming up at the AOP

1 AOP Council elections May

Voting for elected and appointments for designated positions close on 28 April, with results announced in May.

2 AOP Annual General Meeting 5 June

 
The AOP will host its AGM in June, followed by a Council meeting during which new AOP Councillors will formally take up their posts. Follow the coverage on OT.

3 Locum day 23 June

 
The AOP will host a day of education dedicated to locum optometrists and delivered online. Find the AOP’s events programme here.