Discover how Alison, a mental health first aid instructor at HMP Dovegate, is leading peer support initiatives in prison settings, transforming inmate wellbeing during Mental Health Awareness Week.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we are proud to shine the spotlight on Alison, regional patient engagement lead and mental health first aid instructor at HMP Dovegate. Alison has been instrumental in training a new generation of mental health first aiders and advocating for peer-led mental health support in secure settings.
Alison shares her journey:
“Before joining Practice Plus Group in 2016, I worked in the voluntary sector supporting people with mental health issues, helping them rebuild their confidence through volunteering. That experience taught me how powerful meaningful connection can be in recovery.
Since joining the team in Health in Justice, I have noticed how important that support is, especially post-COVID, when the need for mental health care has grown significantly across the prison population.
At HMP Dovegate, we have an inpatient unit that supports patients in significant mental distress. Even with our brilliant mental health team doing all they can, I saw an urgent need for more peer-to-peer support. That’s what inspired me to become a mental health first aid (MHFA) instructor.
With support from Practice Plus Group and NHS funding, I began training staff and inmates to become voluntary ‘health and recovery champions.’ Peer support is especially powerful in prisons as patients are more likely to open up to someone who shares their lived experience.
We’ve since trained peers in areas ranging from substance misuse to emotional wellbeing, and we’re expanding. I’m currently preparing a new cohort of 12 mental health first aiders.
I train these champions to spot early signs of mental ill health, listen empathetically, and guide their peers toward the right support services. They help carry the emotional load and bridge the gap when professional intervention isn’t immediately available.
Recently, we launched the Better Days group, a new initiative at the prison designed to open up conversations around mental health and reduce stigma. The peer support offered in these sessions is proving to be deeply impactful for everyone involved.
Practice Plus Group has been instrumental in this journey. Their people-first approach supports both staff and patients in secure environments. I was lucky to secure non-concurrent NHS funding to train our peers. The NHS has backed other positive work too, such as podcasts and health promotion.
Personally, this role has transformed how I speak about mental health. It is not just about what you say but it is how you say it. We’re more aware of the language we use, more conscious of signs, and more confident in knowing where to signpost support. It’s about creating a culture where asking for support is normalised, not stigmatised.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder that everyone deserves support, no matter their background or circumstances. While we hope people would always help each other, giving them the skills and confidence to do so makes all the difference.
Mental health awareness is a commitment we made to support our patients, challenge stigma, and work collaboratively with the clinical teams to create a more informed and compassionate environment”.
