What is a Peer Mentor?

A Been There Peer Mentor is someone who has their own experiences of struggling with and overcoming body image issues, disordered eating or an eating disorder, or who has closely supported someone with these experiences, and who wants to use the empathy, understanding and perspective that this has given them, in a safe and structured way, to help support others who are still struggling.

A Peer Mentor is:

  • A listening ear

  • An empathetic supporter

  • An encouraging friend who can walk alongside you and understand what you are going through

  • A volunteer

A Peer Mentor is not:

  • A therapist

  • Crisis support

  • Available 24/7

Be the person you once needed

If you’ve lived with body image struggles or an eating disorder - or supported someone who has - your experience could be life-changing for someone else.

You’ll be trained and supported throughout. You’re never doing this alone.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Being a Peer Mentor for Been There is such a positive part of my life. I always wanted to use my own experiences to help others who are struggling, and I am now lucky enough to have the opportunity to do just that.

Candice
Been There - Mentor

Why become a Peer Mentor?

  • Make a meaningful difference

  • Use your lived experience safely and purposefully

  • Build confidence, empathy and communication skills

  • Be part of a supportive community

  • Find purpose and fulfilment

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Supporting just one person can create a ripple effect. Mentoring has been really fulfilling.

Megan
Been There - Mentor

How Do I Get Involved?

What's Involved?

  • 6-8 hours of initial training

  • Minimum 6-month commitment

  • 1 to 3 hours a week - depending on what you can do

  • Ongoing safeguarding support and clinical supervision

  • No costs - all training provided

  • Excellent experience for your CV

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the app work?

The Been There app is a secure, text-only chat platform designed for safety and security. You and your Mentee agree on weekly times to talk, and everything happens over text. No calls, no video, just messages. Our training walks you through exactly how it works, so you’ll feel confident before you start.

Can I join from outside the UK? 

Right now, we can only accept UK residents, but we’re working on expanding. Complete our Overseas Form if you’d like to know when we start providing our service in your country.

Do my experiences qualify me? 

If you've "been there" or closely supported someone who has been there, then yes! You don’t need a diagnosis or professional background; your lived experience and understanding are what matter most. With our training you’ll be ready to support others.

What if I'm not good at this?

It’s completely normal to wonder. We’ll give you training and ongoing support, plus a community of fellow Peer Mentors who have the will have similar concerns and questions. We believe in you - your experience has great value and you’ll never be left to do this alone.

How much time does it take?

Training takes about 6-8 hours in total. After that, the commitment is flexible - usually 1 hour a week, sometimes up to 3 hours if you support more than one Mentee. 

What if I don’t have “the right skills”?

You do. Your lived experience is your biggest strength. It’s what makes you relatable. We’ll provide everything else - training, structure and ongoing support.

What if life gets in the way?

We ask you to commit to the role for a minimum of 6 months, (1 hour per week) to make the most of the training we provide. We understand that life happens so if you need a break, you can pause and return when you’re ready. We simply ask that you are continually transparent with us so that nobody is left without support.

How is my safety protected? 

Your safety comes first. The app uses first names only. No personal details are shared and all Peer Mentors follow safeguarding procedures which we cover in your training. You’ll also have constant support from our leadership team, safeguarding team and other Peer Mentors.

Will I see the impact I'm making?

Yes! You’ll hear feedback from Mentees, get regular updates from your Peer Mentor Lead, and see the bigger picture in our annual Impact Report.

Is there a lot of paperwork?

No, your focus is on the conversations. We’ll just ask for light feedback and your attendance at training sessions and Peer-support sessions.

Do I have to pay for training?

We cover all training and support costs. While we're always seeking funding as a charity, we never expect contributions from volunteers, unless you choose to support our cause independently.