Peer Solidarity

Certificate Program

Application Deadline ⏳

11.59pm Sunday 4th January 2026

Next Cohort Begins 🗓️

February 2026

We invite you to the UK's first certificate program for *politicised* peer support, what we call Peer Solidarity.

Our program offers an in-depth exploration of Peer Solidarity, a framework that combines community healing with political education. 

This unique program is designed to empower participants with a theoretical and practical understanding of autonomous, abolitionist, and accessible mental health care.

By the end of the program, you will have the knowledge and tools to better support you, your peers, and your community. ​

Why is this program needed? 🤔

The mainstream mental health system fails neurodivergent+ people.

We are negatively labelled and pathologised. We are trapped in psychiatric wards or forced onto medication without our consent. We are left struggling for years while stuck on waiting lists.

We are told that the problem lies with us: the impacts of social oppression (such as racism, poverty, ableism, transphobia, etc.) on our wellbeing are minimised, if not completely ignored. 


The mainstream mental health system also fails care providers.

In wider society, those in caregiving roles are often under-valued and exploited. The traditional education offered is biased and incomplete without the voices of neurodivergent+ people.

NEUROMANCERS’ Peer Solidarity Certificate Program offers an alternative, grounded in our organisational values of autonomy, abolition, and accessibility.

Who is this for?

This program is for people who are:
 

  • Critical of mainstream mental healthcare and curious about non-clinical alternatives 🤗
     

  • Interested in offering peer support but either not sure where to start or want to develop more knowledge 🧐

  • Experienced with helping some neurodivergent+ communities (e.g., ADHD, Autism) but less knowledgable about the more pathologised groups 🧠
     

  • Students of psychology, sociology, or similar educational pursuits seeking to supplement or challenge their learning with a radical perspective 📢
     

  • Wanting to deepen experience with caregiving and healing work - particularly with neurodivegence ❤️‍🩹
     

  • Committed to liberatory practices and principles, especially with mental wellbeing 🔥

Program Overview

  • Step One: Application Process 📝

    You must submit a written application. Applications are open until 11.59pm on Sunday 4th January 2026. We’ll be reviewing applications as they are submitted.

    We will be in touch if you are selected to move forward onto our due diligence process: your acceptance onto the program is subject to final approval following a DBS check and after contacting your reference.

  • Step Two: Onboarding 🥳

    You’ll receive an email to confirm your place on the program. Congratulations!

    This email will contain all of the key information you’ll need to confidently onboard.

    We’ll have a live Introductory Workshop - here we’ll answer any and all questions you have before we get stuck in.

  • Step Three: Core Curriculum 📚

    Beginning in early February, over a period of ten (10) weeks, you’ll explore our comprehensive curriculum.

    This curriculum will explore common experiences, states, and coping mechanisms of people under the neurodivergent+ umbrella and how we can effectively support others in alignment with non-pathologising, consent-led, and trauma-informed practice.

    Through a combination of self-paced modules, co-developed with specialist partner organisations, and live integration workshops, you’ll balance flexible, independent study with group reflection and skills-practise.

  • Step Four: Progress Assessment ✅

    We’ll asses your progress with an assessment to ensure that you can understand and apply the learnings.

    To move onto the next step of the program, you’ll need to pass (there are alternatives if this doesn’t happen).

    We’ll also take a Rest Week to honour our collective need for pause and reflection.

  • Step Five: Pathway Training 💭

    You’ll spend four weeks attending live Pathway Training workshops to prepare you for your Practical Placement.

    A Pathway allows you to specialise in a particular form or practice of peer support (i.e., 1:1, groups, etc.).

    For our inaugural cycle, all trainees will complete the Responder Pathway, training in and directly offering peer-to-peer support via our helpchat.

    In future cycles, we’ll offer multiple pathways.

  • Step Six: Practical Placement ❤️‍🩹

    You’ll complete your 100 hour Practical Placement. You hours can include: offering direct peer-to-peer support on help chat shifts; attending required co-reflection and drop-in education spaces; and accessing 1:1 supervision and support.

    The Practical Placement enables trainees to actively practise the skills and ideas explored within the curriculum.

  • Step Seven: Become Certified 🎓

    Once you’ve completed your hours, you’ll receive your certificate and officially graduate from the Peer Solidarity Certificate Program.

    P.S. We may have a lil party to celebrate!

  • Step Eight: Alumni Community 🤗

    At this stage, you’ll have the opportunity to access our FREE alumni community + network as well as take part in the ample opportunities offered.

    More information to be announced following the graduation of our inaugural cohort of program participants.

What is included?

During the program, you will:

  • Thoroughly understand the framework of Peer Solidarity and philosophy of NEUROMANCING

  • Recognise how social oppression impacts mental and cultural wellness

  • Gain knowledge about specific experiences within the neurodivergent+ umbrella

  • Explore the principles of autonomous mental health care and neurodivergent+ affirming support skills

  • Practice reflection and self-evaluation

  • Apply your theoretical knowledge as practical skills 

  • Connect and collaborate with fellow like-minded participants 

  • Develop your learning with consistent, long-term educational support and encouragement

We will offer you:

  • Access to a network of pro-bono healers

  • Chance to apply knowledge and gain experience giving direct peer support experience through your placement

  • Ongoing emotional and educational support

  • Neurodivergent+ affirming and care-forward supervision

  • A free DBS check

  • Comprehensive self-paced modules which are available to return to throughout the program

  • Discounts and early access to future trainings

  • Community of neurodivergent+ affirming peers

  • Certificate of completion

  • Letter of recommendation and alumni opportunities

Logistics:

  • The application deadline is 11.59pm Sunday 4th January 2025.

    APPLY HERE.

  • In line with our value of accessibility, we offer flexible sliding-scale pricing for our program.

    For the 2026 cohort, the fee covers the sixteen (16) weeks of training. We offer complimentary supervision and support through the Practical Placement.

    Sliding-Scale Pricing

    This program is FREE for those 18-25.

    For everyone above 25 years old, please use the following scale:

    • Supporter Cost - £2000+


      For those who are high income with stable employment, and/or have had access to intergenerational wealth. This tier helps balance the scale and supports 18-25 year olds on full scholarships.

    • True Cost - £1500-1999

      For those who have reliable income, solid savings, and/or expendable income. This tier aligns with the true cost of the program.

    • Lower Cost - £1000-1499

      For those who have some savings, financial support from family, and/or expendable income. This tier is for those that need a financial reduction to join the program.

    • Subsidised Cost - £500-999

      For those who are low income, no savings, have minimal expendable income each month. This tier is available for those could not otherwise afford to join the program.

    Your investment is specifically ring-fenced towards future cohorts of the Peer Solidarity Certificate Program and funds more care programming.

    Each cohort costs at least £35,000 - your financial commitment is part of a fundraising effort that seeks to ensure even more of us are trained in life-affirming and empowering peer support practices.

    If you’d like to support our fundraising by sponsoring additional places on the program, please make a Bank Transfer Donation (reference: “Certificate Program Donation”).

    Payment Policy: You can pay in self-managed instalments via bank transfer. The full program payment must be completed a minimum of seven (7) working days before the program start date. (This date will be specified in your acceptance email.)

    As a small, grassroots organisation we have to carefully manage our limited funds. To protect and maintain our financial sustainability, we are unable to offer refunds. All payments are final.

  • Please get directly in contact if you are:

    • Looking for a student placement

    • Curious about co-pay with your workplace

    • An organisation wanting to book multiple places on the program

    You can email us as certificate@neuromancers.org.uk

  • In your application, you will be asked to briefly outline how you meet the following criteria:

    • Personal Lived Experience – As a peer-led organisation, everything we do is for and by our community. All program participants will have personal lived experience with neurodivergence, mental illness, mental distress, madness, trauma, addiction, disordered eating, psychosis, altered states, suicidality, and/or similar. Clinical diagnosis not required.

    • Interest in Peer Work – There are many forms of healing that exist outside of and can be equally, if not more, valuable than clinical support. In particular, an interest in, or experience with, peer work and community-based healing is important within the course.

    • Alignment with NEUROMANCERS – We are always grounded in our goal to provide autonomous, abolitionist, and accessible community mental health care. Participants must show alignment with these values and wider liberatory politics.


    All participants must also ‘pass’ a DBS check. This is to protect our community. If you already have a DBS certificate, you’ll be prompted to upload this before you’re accepted onto the program.

    We are only accepting applications from those based in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

    If you are based elsewhere in Europe, please be in touch before applying to see if you are eligible.

    If you are unsure as to whether you meet the criteria, please reach out.

  • As a disabled-led organisation, accessibility is something we highly value and centre in our work.

    Overall, participation in the course requires:

    • (stable and consistent) internet access

    • access to a laptop or computer

    • the ability to speak, understand, and read English

    • residence in the England, Wales, Scotland, or Ireland during the program

    • the ability to commit to the period of study and your practical placement

    • and the ability to navigate online platforms (such as email, meetings software etc.).

    Whilst each week ebbs and flows, we would suggest that you allocate four (4) hours a week throughout the program.

    We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding access and are always looking to improve our program.

    Email certificate@neuromancers.org.uk with queries and feedback.

Schedule:

  • Application Deadline: 11.59pm Sunday 4th January 2026.

    Due Diligence + Confirmation of Acceptance: We may complete this process at anytime after your application has been submitted.

  • We’ll explore the curriculum over ten weeks, from week commencing 9th February 2026 to week commencing 13th April 2026.

    You will complete the self-paced modules during the week and then attend live Integrative Workshops.

    There will be multiple days / times on offer for Integrative Workshops, so you can choose which option works best for your schedule!

  • The progress assessment will be completed in your own time during week commencing 20th of April 2026.

    Following this, we’ll take a Rest Week to honour our collective need for pause and reflection.

  • Pathway Training will be held over four (4) weeks, from week commencing 4th of May 2026 to week commencing 25th of May 2026.

    For our inaugural cycle, all trainees will complete the Responder pathway, offering peer-to-peer support via soon-to be-launched helpchat.

    (In future cycles, we’ll offer multiple pathways.)

  • You’ll complete your 100 hour Practical Placement, from June 2026 - December 2026.

    You hours can include: offering direct peer-to-peer support on help chat shifts; attending required co-reflection and drop-in education spaces; and accessing 1:1 supervision and support.

    We expect you to commit to a minimum of two help chat shifts (up-to 4hrs) per month, alongside our monthly co-reflection spaces.

More questions?

Learn about the Help Chat

For our inaugural program cycle, all trainees will complete their Practical Placement as a help chat responder. Learn more about our upcoming help chat.

Attend an information session

Join our upcoming information session where we explain the program and answer your questions in real time. Learn more and get your free ticket now!

Get in touch

If you have specific or lingering queries please don’t hesitate to get directly in touch:

certificate@neuromancers.org.uk