Peer Assist

From Regional Knowledge Resource Kit

Peer Assist sessions are events which bring together individuals to share their experiences, insights and knowledge on an identified challenge or problem.

Prior to the Peer Assist session, the Peer Assistee (the individual or team facing a challenge or problem):

• Sends an invitation to his/her peers asking them to participate in the session.
• Identifies a facilitator and works with him/her to ensure that the session moves in a positive direction by supporting the dialogue and recording the ideas generated on a flipchart.
• Arranges a venue for the session and organises the space with chairs in a circle around the flipchart.

During the Peer Assist session:

• The Peer Assistee presents his/her situation to the group. The problem or challenge should be summarised on the flipchart in point form and articulated as clearly as possible in less than 5 minutes.
• Participants are encouraged to ask questions bringing out details of the situation.
• Participants are then invited to make suggestions based on their experiences of how the situation might be improved.
• The facilitator (i) keeps track of the discussion on the flipchart, and (ii) provides an environment conducive to sharing experiences.
• Towards the end of the session, which generally lasts anywhere from 20 - 45 mins, the facilitator may invite a final suggestion or idea from each participant. A summary of the ideas is then presented.
• The Peer Assistee informs the group how s/he will follow-up with the group.

To further explore Peer Assist take a look at this short video and the Peer Assist section of the "Dare to Share" Knowledge Management Toolkit.