If you're thinking about becoming a peer support worker, or you're just trying to understand what peer support actually looks like in the field, you came to the right place.
In this blog (and the video below), I break down 5 types of peer support jobs I’ve worked in firsthand.
If you’re wondering where this work happens, what the roles involve, or whether any of them are right for you, this should give you a solid head start.
If you like guiding conversations, working with groups, or helping people make sense of their experience, facilitation might be a great fit.
As a peer facilitator, your job isn’t to lecture or give advice. It’s to create a safe space for people to share, reflect, and learn from each other.
There’s usually a topic or framework but the real power comes from the lived and living experience in the room.
What you might do:
In my experience (and hopefully every experience) there are no tests and no grades.
Everyone is at a different place in their journey and that's a perfect place to start exploring.
Drop-in peer support is all about accessibility. People can come and go, no appointment necessary. It’s a space for community, conversation, and sometimes just being.
You might run a group activity, host a game, or simply offer someone a coffee and a listening ear. You don’t know what someone needs until they walk in and that’s part of the beauty of it.
What you might do:
Drop-ins are often the first place someone connects (or reconnects)with others, and with themselves.
In this role, you bring peer support directly to people, often in group homes or community housing settings.
It can look like part facilitation, part outreach, and part relationship-building.
What you might do:
If you’re someone who likes variety, adaptability, and meeting people where they’re at (literally), this role has a lot to offer.
Street outreach is exactly what it sounds like: going into public spaces to offer supplies, support, and connection.
It almost always involves working with folks navigating the housing system. You’re not there to “fix” anything. You’re there to show up, consistently, without judgment.
What you might do:
Many organizations that do this kind of work operate from a harm reduction perspective, something I recommend you look into if you're curious about this space.
Not everyone wants (or is able) to access peer support in person. That’s where call lines and online support come in.
These roles are often overlooked, but they offer real connection in anonymous or low-barrier ways. For many people, it’s easier to open up when they don’t have to be seen.
What you might do:
If you’re someone who listens well and stays grounded under pressure, this role can be incredibly rewarding.
If you’re exploring this field, I hope this post helps you see just how many paths there are.
If you want to learn more about peer support check out this video where I break down what it is in detail.
Anything I left off the list? Send me a message and let me know.
Know anyone else who is interested in peer support? Share this with them.
To be the first to get more stories, tools, and life experiments like this, subscribe to the email list at thejeffturner.ca.
Until next time, I'm Jeff Turner
Take care of yourself, however that looks to you!