{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,13]],"date-time":"2026-09-13T02:18:09Z","timestamp":1789265889975,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1730073600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1730073600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000272","name":"National Institute for Health and Care Research","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["TA 16\/153\/14"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["TA 16\/153\/14"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000272","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000272","name":"National Institute for Health and Care Research","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["TA 16\/153\/14"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["TA 16\/153\/14"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000272","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000272","name":"National Institute for Health and Care Research","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["TA 16\/153\/14"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["TA 16\/153\/14"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000272","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000272","name":"National Institute for Health and Care Research","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["TA 16\/153\/14"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["TA 16\/153\/14"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000272","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000272","name":"National Institute for Health and Care Research","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["TA 16\/153\/14"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["TA 16\/153\/14"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000272","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000272","name":"National Institute for Health and Care Research","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["TA 16\/153\/14"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["TA 16\/153\/14"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000272","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Harm Reduct J"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>Peer workers are individuals who draw on their personal experiences in a professional capacity to support clients. Existing research on the role of peer workers in mental health, homelessness, and substance use services has primarily focused on their impact on client outcomes. This paper describes the development of peer workers as they transition into, through, and beyond this role. Utilising data from the Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study, where Peer Navigators supported people experiencing homelessness and substance use challenges, this paper explores the sense-making involved in an intensive peer support worker role, adaptation to organisational culture, and engagement with opportunities for professional advancement.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>Semi-structured interviews with three Peer Navigators were conducted by two SHARPS study researchers at four time points in 2018 and 2019 corresponding with the beginning, middle, and end of the intervention. These data were analysed along with entries from the three Peer Navigators\u2019 reflective diaries. Analysis followed a multi-stage approach to thematic analysis utilising both inductive and deductive processes. The Peer Navigators\u2019 personal reflections have also been incorporated into the recommendations.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>The foundational training provided to the Peer Navigators before taking up their role helped to ensure readiness and build confidence. This training illuminated the dynamics of supporting individuals with complex health and social challenges. Integrating into diverse organisational environments, the Peer Navigators adapted to new professional expectations and consistently advocated for harm reduction and psychologically informed approaches, sometimes encountering resistance from other professionals. Establishing effective relationships with participants and professionals was essential and involved dealing with challenges such as overcoming personal biases and navigating systemic obstacles. the Peer Navigators benefitted from the specially designed training to support career progress with personal and professional development opportunities which enabled successful transitions beyond the SHARPS study.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>Pre-work training, coupled with support and adherence to key principles, enabled the Peer Navigators to integrate effectively into diverse organisations. Quality relationships were vital in achieving client outcomes and supporting the professional growth of the Peer Navigators. These findings are important for services employing peer workers and underscore the importance of a commitment to training and continuing professional development.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12954-024-01109-4","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T09:17:06Z","timestamp":1730107026000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":10,"title":["Navigating transitions into, through, and beyond peer worker roles: insider insights from the Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"21","author":[{"given":"Josh","family":"Dumbrell","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hannah","family":"Carver","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rebecca","family":"Foster","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bernie","family":"Pauly","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Wez","family":"Steele","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michael","family":"Roy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tessa","family":"Parkes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"1109_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Davidson L, Chinman M, Kloos B, Weingarten R, Stayner D, Tebes JK. Peer support among individuals with severe mental illness: A review of the evidence. Clinical Psyc: Sci Prac. 1999;6:165\u2013187.","DOI":"10.1093\/clipsy.6.2.165"},{"key":"1109_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.2147\/SAR.S81535","volume":"7","author":"K Tracy","year":"2016","unstructured":"Tracy K, Wallace S. Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. SAR Volume. 2016;7:143\u201354.","journal-title":"SAR Volume"},{"key":"1109_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"392","DOI":"10.2975\/27.2004.392.401","volume":"27","author":"P Solomon","year":"2004","unstructured":"Solomon P. Peer Support\/Peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients. Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2004;27:392\u2013401.","journal-title":"Psychiatr Rehabil J"},{"key":"1109_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3310\/WVVL4786","volume":"26","author":"T Parkes","year":"2022","unstructured":"Parkes T, Matheson C, Carver H, et al. A peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of homeless people with problem substance use: the SHARPS feasibility mixed-methods study. Health Technol Assess. 2022;26:1\u2013128.","journal-title":"Health Technol Assess"},{"key":"1109_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"598","DOI":"10.1007\/s10597-017-0102-2","volume":"53","author":"SL Barker","year":"2017","unstructured":"Barker SL, Maguire N. Experts by experience: peer support and its use with the Homeless. Community Ment Health J. 2017;53:598\u2013612.","journal-title":"Community Ment Health J"},{"key":"1109_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12073","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph182212073","volume":"18","author":"F Mercer","year":"2021","unstructured":"Mercer F, Miler JA, Pauly B, Carver H, Hn\u00edzdilov\u00e1 K, Foster R, Parkes T. Peer support and overdose Prevention responses: a systematic \u2018State-of-the-art\u2019 review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18:12073.","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"1109_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"641","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-020-8407-4","volume":"20","author":"JA Miler","year":"2020","unstructured":"Miler JA, Carver H, Foster R, Parkes T. Provision of peer support at the intersection of homelessness and problem substance use services: a systematic \u2018state of the art\u2019 review. BMC Public Health. 2020;20:641.","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"1109_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"114770","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2022.114770","volume":"298","author":"P Annand","year":"2022","unstructured":"Annand P, Platt L, Rathod S, Hosseini P, Guise A. Progression capitals\u2019: how homeless health peer advocacy impacts peer advocates. Soc Sci Med. 2022;298:114770.","journal-title":"Soc Sci Med"},{"key":"1109_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pauly B (Bernie), Mamdani Z, Mesley L, et al. editors. It\u2019s an emotional roller coaster\u2026 But sometimes it\u2019s fucking awesome: Meaning and motivation of work for peers in overdose response environments in British Columbia. Int J Drug Pol. 2021;88:103015.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.drugpo.2020.103015"},{"key":"1109_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1093\/alcalc\/agr136","volume":"47","author":"K Tracy","year":"2012","unstructured":"Tracy K, Burton M, Miescher A, Galanter M, Babuscio T, Frankforter T, Nich C, Rounsaville B. Mentorship for alcohol problems (MAP): a peer to peer modular intervention for outpatients. Alcohol Alcohol. 2012;47:42\u20137.","journal-title":"Alcohol Alcohol"},{"key":"1109_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1186\/s12954-020-00449-1","volume":"18","author":"Z Mamdani","year":"2021","unstructured":"Mamdani Z, McKenzie S, Pauly B, et al. Running myself ragged: stressors faced by peer workers in overdose response settings. Harm Reduct J. 2021;18:18.","journal-title":"Harm Reduct J"},{"key":"1109_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"961","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.ps.201700564","volume":"69","author":"AJ King","year":"2018","unstructured":"King AJ, Simmons MB. A systematic review of the attributes and outcomes of peer work and guidelines for reporting studies of peer interventions. PS. 2018;69:961\u201377.","journal-title":"PS"},{"key":"1109_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104182","DOI":"10.1016\/j.drugpo.2023.104182","volume":"120","author":"Y Chen","year":"2023","unstructured":"Chen Y, Yuan Y, Reed BG. Experiences of peer work in drug use service settings: a systematic review of qualitative evidence. Int J Drug Policy. 2023;120:104182.","journal-title":"Int J Drug Policy"},{"key":"1109_CR14","unstructured":"BC Peer Worker Training. https:\/\/towardtheheart.com\/peer-worker-training. Accessed 12 Feb 2024."},{"key":"1109_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"782","DOI":"10.1017\/S0047279421000921","volume":"52","author":"S Parr","year":"2023","unstructured":"Parr S. Navigating\u2019 the value of lived experience in support work with Multiply disadvantaged adults. J Soc Pol. 2023;52:782\u201399.","journal-title":"J Soc Pol"},{"key":"1109_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"113631","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2020.113631","volume":"270","author":"M Olding","year":"2021","unstructured":"Olding M, Boyd J, Kerr T, McNeil R. And we just have to keep going: Task shifting and the production of burnout among overdose response workers with lived experience. Soc Sci Med. 2021;270:113631.","journal-title":"Soc Sci Med"},{"key":"1109_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"429","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.ps.201300244","volume":"65","author":"M Chinman","year":"2014","unstructured":"Chinman M, George P, Dougherty RH, Daniels AS, Ghose SS, Swift A, Delphin-Rittmon ME. Peer support services for individuals with Serious Mental illnesses: assessing the evidence. PS. 2014;65:429\u201341.","journal-title":"PS"},{"key":"1109_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"392","DOI":"10.3109\/09638237.2011.583947","volume":"20","author":"J Repper","year":"2011","unstructured":"Repper J, Carter T. A review of the literature on peer support in mental health services. J Mental Health. 2011;20:392\u2013411.","journal-title":"J Mental Health"},{"key":"1109_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"332","DOI":"10.1037\/0278-6133.22.4.332","volume":"22","author":"CA Latkin","year":"2003","unstructured":"Latkin CA, Sherman S, Knowlton A. HIV prevention among drug users: outcome of a network-oriented peer outreach intervention. Health Psychol. 2003;22:332\u20139.","journal-title":"Health Psychol"},{"key":"1109_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1279","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-021-07241-2","volume":"21","author":"Z Mamdani","year":"2021","unstructured":"Mamdani Z, McKenzie S, Cameron F, Knott M, Conway-Brown J, Scott T, Buxton JA, Pauly B. Using intervention mapping to develop \u2018ROSE\u2019: an intervention to support peer workers in overdose response settings. BMC Health Serv Res. 2021;21:1279.","journal-title":"BMC Health Serv Res"},{"key":"1109_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1186\/s12954-021-00582-5","volume":"19","author":"T Parkes","year":"2022","unstructured":"Parkes T, Matheson C, Carver H, et al. Assessing the feasibility, acceptability and accessibility of a peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of people who experience homelessness with problem substance use: the SHARPS study. Harm Reduct J. 2022;19:10.","journal-title":"Harm Reduct J"},{"key":"1109_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"170","DOI":"10.1037\/h0095028","volume":"25","author":"D Gammonley","year":"2001","unstructured":"Gammonley D, Luken K. Peer education and advocacy through recreation and leadership. Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2001;25:170\u20138.","journal-title":"Psychiatr Rehabil J"},{"key":"1109_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa","volume":"3","author":"V Braun","year":"2006","unstructured":"Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Res Psychol. 2006;3:77\u2013101.","journal-title":"Qualitative Res Psychol"},{"key":"1109_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1037\/13620-004","volume-title":"APA handbook of research methods in psychology, vol 2: Research designs: quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological","author":"V Braun","year":"2012","unstructured":"Braun V, Clarke V. Thematic analysis. In: Cooper H, Camic PM, Long DL, Panter AT, Rindskopf D, Sher KJ, editors. APA handbook of research methods in psychology, vol 2: Research designs: quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological. Washington: American Psychological Association; 2012. pp. 57\u201371."},{"key":"1109_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"34","DOI":"10.1108\/14608791211238412","volume":"15","author":"R Haigh","year":"2012","unstructured":"Haigh R, Harrison T, Johnson R, Paget S, Williams S. Psychologically informed environments and the enabling environments initiative. Hous Care Support. 2012;15:34\u201342.","journal-title":"Hous Care Support"},{"key":"1109_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1186\/s12954-018-0245-7","volume":"15","author":"P Tookey","year":"2018","unstructured":"Tookey P, Mason K, Broad J, Behm M, Bondy L, Powis J. From client to co-worker: a case study of the transition to peer work within a multi-disciplinary hepatitis c treatment team in Toronto, Canada. Harm Reduct J. 2018;15:41.","journal-title":"Harm Reduct J"},{"key":"1109_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0141122","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0141122","volume":"10","author":"J MacLellan","year":"2015","unstructured":"MacLellan J, Surey J, Abubakar I, Stagg HR. Peer support workers in Health: a qualitative metasynthesis of their experiences. PLoS ONE. 2015;10:e0141122.","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"1109_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1177\/0091450919894341","volume":"47","author":"J Chapman","year":"2020","unstructured":"Chapman J, Roche AM, Kostadinov V, Duraisingam V, Hodge S. Lived experience: characteristics of workers in Alcohol and other Drug Nongovernment organizations. Contemp Drug Probl. 2020;47:63\u201377.","journal-title":"Contemp Drug Probl"},{"key":"1109_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"48","DOI":"10.1111\/hex.13400","volume":"25","author":"M Paisi","year":"2022","unstructured":"Paisi M, Crombag N, Burns L, Bogaerts A, Withers L, Bates L, Crowley D, Witton R, Shawe J. Barriers and facilitators to hepatitis C screening and treatment for people with lived experience of homelessness: a mixed-methods systematic review. Health Expect. 2022;25:48\u201360.","journal-title":"Health Expect"},{"key":"1109_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"477","DOI":"10.1080\/13648470.2021.1875317","volume":"28","author":"J Anderson","year":"2021","unstructured":"Anderson J. Peer support workers\u2019 conceptions of drug users and the implications for service provision. Anthropol Med. 2021;28:477\u201392.","journal-title":"Anthropol Med"},{"key":"1109_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1","DOI":"10.2105\/AJPH.2016.303180","volume":"106","author":"R Sokol","year":"2016","unstructured":"Sokol R, Fisher E. Peer support for the hardly reached: a systematic review. Am J Public Health. 2016;106:e1\u20138.","journal-title":"Am J Public Health"}],"container-title":["Harm Reduction Journal"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12954-024-01109-4.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12954-024-01109-4\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12954-024-01109-4.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T09:29:24Z","timestamp":1730107764000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12954-024-01109-4"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]]},"references-count":31,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12]]}},"alternative-id":["1109"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12954-024-01109-4","relation":{},"ISSN":["1477-7517"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1477-7517","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]]},"assertion":[{"value":"4 June 2024","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"14 October 2024","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"28 October 2024","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Ethical approval was granted by the University of Stirling\u2019s NHS, Invasive and Clinical Research ethics committee (NICR 17\/18 Paper 35) in April 2018 and by The Ethics Subgroup of the Research Coordinating Council of The Salvation Army in June 2018 (no reference). A subsequent amendment was granted by NICR in November 2022 to provide access to the data presented in this paper to author JD, who was one of the Peer Navigators on the SHARPS study. Explicit consent was also obtained from the three former Peer Navigators to use their data for the purpose of this article.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Consent to publish was collected from the participants as part of the informed consent procedure. Explicit consent was also obtained from the former Peer Navigators to use their data for the purpose of this article.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"191"}}