Platfform’s peer mentors – Will’s story
On Friday 11 July, as the newly launched National Employability Week 2025 draws to a close, Platfform’s Employment Team is gearing up to support even more people back to work this summer. The team, headed up by Julie Rees, comprises the Gwent Out of Work Services (GOOWS) and Pathways to Work programme, and is an established team of highly motivated peer mentors, service managers, partnership leads, employment liaison officers, case workers and wellbeing coaches.
Peer mentors play a significant role in developing future employment support services, by not only helping people back to work, but also by training up our future peer mentors. Training involves giving participants an insight into, and understanding of, the mentoring process. This involves focusing on people’s goals, strengths and abilities to help them move forward and grow their skills and confidence. Peer mentors act as a personal ‘buddy’ – walking alongside anyone needing support every step of the way, helping them to focus on positives to rebuild self-confidence and self-belief.
In between their busy schedule of wellbeing workshops, community events and drop-in sessions, the GWOOS team runs regular courses throughout the year. Many of Platfform’s peer mentors have also been on the receiving end of the service, and this knowledge is invaluable in bringing their own personal insights into the process.
Familiar faces running our current peer mentor programmes are Matt Doy and Erin McManus – alongside the newest recruit, Will Nicholas, who tells us his story here.
I received support that enabled me to believe in myself by talking things through and reframing the way I think
I was initially referred to Platfform through the JCP (Jobcentre Plus) as I was unemployed at the time and lacked confidence and self-belief.
I attended one of their JCP sessions with the aim of improving my confidence in the short term, and to gain employment in the future. I’ve always found it hard to explain to people the way I feel and the why I feel it.. and I received support that enabled me to believe in myself by talking things through and reframing the way I think.
Throughout the sessions, I gained confidence by asking questions that helped reassure me, which resulted in myself moving forward with things such as applying for a variety of jobs that I wouldn’t have without the support. I eventually applied for a peer mentor role because of the conversations my mentor and I had.
I thought I could empathise with people who were going through a similar situation as myself.
I’m doing things that I wouldn’t have believed myself doing when I first started. I’m seeing participants on one-to-one appointments and going to events at places that are unfamiliar, which at one time would’ve been a real struggle for me.
Photo: Will Nicholas, left, at Abergavenny Jobs Fair 2025
“The outcome of my support was what I set out in first place – which was to gain confidence in the short term and to gain employment in the future. Both of these goals were achieved – I gained the confidence to apply for the peer mentor role at Platfform which resulted in me getting the job and the conclusion of my support.
During the support I received, I felt that there was no pressure, and I could explain my situation without judgment. I gained confidence because of this which resulted in me moving forward in a positive way. Even since starting the job in January 2025 up until now, I’m doing things that I wouldn’t have believed myself doing when I first started. I’m seeing participants on one-to-one appointments and going to events at places that are unfamiliar, which at one time would’ve been a real struggle for me. However, every member of the team has helped and supported me in order to feel reassured and able to ask questions. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received and the team I now work with.”
If you’d like to find out more about the Peer Mentor programme or current / future opportunities with the team, please contact Julie or Ceri at gwentoows@platfform.org.
