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- An explainer on... the Peer Support Line
On the ground at the AOP
An explainer on... the Peer Support Line
OT hears how the Peer Support Line has been supporting optometrists, and about plans for a new service dedicated to pre-regs
Elin Daniel
12 April 2024
The Peer Support Line (PSL) is a free, confidential helpline open to all optical professionals (members and non-members) as a space for people to talk through anything that may be bothering them. The volunteers, who are all optical professionals, won’t give advice or provide the answers, but are there to listen.
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.
A year in the Peer Support Line
465
calls received by the helpline125%
increase in the number of calls compared to the previous year26%
of callers raised employment issues14%
of callers discussed issues with stress14%
of calls were regarding working conditions10%
of calls were linked to family and relationships.Rewind
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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
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