Building Bridges: Insights for Developing a Comprehensive Peer Advocacy Model for Multiple Complex Needs in Stockton-on-Tees

Background and Aims: As Stockton-on-Tees endeavours to address the challenges faced by its residents with multiple complex needs, a pilot initiative has been developed to enhance support for these individuals through peer advocacy. The present study aimed to gather insights into stakeholders’ and peer advocates’ expectations for the multiple complex needs peer advocacy pilot. Recognising the potential of peer advocacy to bridge service gaps and foster a more empathetic, inclusive collaborative network, this study sought to inform the pilot’s development with actionable insights, grounded in the lived experiences and professional expertise of those closest to the community’s needs.Method: This study employed a participatory research approach, with three peer advocates acting as peer researchers and assisting with data collection and interpretation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online with 11 stakeholders and 13 peer advocates, aiming to capture a broad spectrum of perspectives on the planned peer advocacy model. Participants, selected through purposive and convenience sampling, included individuals actively engaged in or closely connected to the support services sector within Stockton-on-Tees. Data analysis followed an inductive thematic approach, allowing for an in-depth exploration of expectations, perceived challenges, and recommendations for the pilot.Results: The study revealed a strong consensus on the value of peer advocacy in enhancing service access and user engagement, with empathy and lived experience highlighted as key components of effective support. Anticipated challenges included service accessibility, mental health support gaps, and the need for a holistic, integrated service model. Stakeholders and peer advocates alike emphasised the importance of continuous innovation and community engagement in addressing the evolving needs of individuals with complex challenges.Recommendations: To optimise the pilot’s impact, recommendations arising from these findings include expanding peer advocacy training, developing integrated service models, enhancing community and family engagement, implementing ongoing evaluation mechanisms, and advocating for policy and funding support. These recommendations aim to ensure the pilot is well-equipped to provide comprehensive, person-centred support, reflecting the collaborative vision of a transformed support culture in Stockton-on-Tees.Conclusions: This study highlights the central role of peer advocacy in reimagining support for Stockton-on-Tees’s most vulnerable residents. By harnessing the insights of stakeholders and peer advocates, the pilot can offer a model of support that is not only responsive and inclusive but also committed to empathy, understanding, and sustainable change. The findings and recommendations from this study provide a foundation for the pilot, guiding its strategic development and implementation towards achieving transformative outcomes for individuals with multiple complex needs