Welcome from Windana’s Peer Support Group. This page covers what Peer Support is, how our groups work, and how you can join in to benefit from shared experiences - at any stage of your journey with alcohol and other drugs.
Fast facts
- Type of group: Weekly groups (attend as often as you wish)
- Location: St Kilda and Frankston (in-person), or join online over Zoom
- When: St Kilda: Mondays 1:00pm-2:30pm; Frankston: Fridays 2:00pm-3:30pm (ex. public holidays)
- Eligibility: Aged 18+ with experience of alcohol/drugs
- Referral: Referral not required
- Cost: Free
What is Peer Support?
Peers are people who have similar experiences. In this case, peers are people who know what it’s like to have issues with alcohol and other drugs.
‘Peer Support’ is when peers use their experiences to help each other.
Peer Support can make a positive difference in your life. It can:
- Help you build hope for reaching your goals (recovery, work, family, health, or anything else you want to achieve)
- Provide you with positive role models
- Offer a welcoming place to meet new people
- Help you find a sense of belonging and shared identity in a place where you are understood
- Pass on new skills and knowledge
- Help you build your confidence and self-esteem
- Give you encouragement from people who have had similar experiences, and give you the opportunity to help others too (which feels great!)
- Be a place to learn about peers’ experiences with different Windana programs and services – including Counselling, the Family Program and ResetLife.
Our Peer Support groups
Windana has two Peer Support Groups:
- St Kilda on Mondays: 1:00pm to 2:30pm (88 Alma Road)
- Frankston on Fridays: 2:00pm to 3:30pm (31 Playne Street).
People who can’t make it in person can join via Zoom:
- Meeting ID: 997 6241 1121
- Passcode: 819144
- Or click here.
The groups run weekly, except on public holidays.
Groups are led by Windana’s trained Peer Leader and are attended by people who share experiences of drug and alcohol use.
This is an ongoing, open group – meaning you can come as often as you need. You’re welcome to try a group just once, attend every week or come back whenever you feel the need of support from peers.
Attending Peer Support group is completely free.
Please refrain from attending if you are substance affected, so we can ensure a safe place for all.
What happens in a group?
“In our Peer Support groups, you can ask for feedback and share ideas that support your recovery – such as practicing self-care every day, trying yoga, going to a 12-step program, going to the gym, stopping smoking or going back to TAFE and studying.” – Peer Leader
Each group is different. That’s because members steer the chat based on what people wish to share and discuss in the group.
Peer Support group give you an opportunity to talk about the things that affect you, learn from others, find common ground and encourage your peers to make positive changes.
To give you an idea, here’s how a typical group is structured:
- Acknowledgment of Country.
- Welcome members and record attendance.
- Choose a volunteer to read out the group guidelines.
- Feelings check – Each person introduces themselves and shares how they’re feeling. After a member shares, they are asked whether they are open to hearing feedback from the group. This discussion is the main part of the group and is where topics come up – such as emotions, family, relationships, health, goals and more.
- Check-out: Each member shares how they feel at the end of the group.
Sometimes, a Guest Peer might join a group. Guest Peers are people with many years of recovery experience, who share special insight to help others at different stages of their journey.
What do we mean by ‘feedback’?
Feedback is not about judgement or giving advice – but is about offering people something to consider based on personal experience.
Eligibility: Is this for me?
Windana’s Peer Support Group is open to anyone in Victoria aged 18 years or above who has experience of alcohol and drug use.
People at all stages of their journey are welcome – whether your drug use is in the past or you are still using. We just ask that you are not substance affected when you join us in-person or online.
Under 18 and interested in Peer Support? Check out SHARC.
How do I come to a meeting?
You do not need a referral to come to a group.
If you have any questions, please contact Windana Reception by phone on 03 9529 7955, by email at or by coming to the Community Services Building in St Kilda (88 Alma Road). Reception is staffed Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 4:30pm.
If you’re already connected to Windana, feel free to speak to a staff member about coming to a Peer Support meeting.
Important: If you need support immediately or someone to talk to about accessing drug and alcohol services in Victoria, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 (available 24/7) or visit www.directline.org.au.
Common questions about our Peer Support group
How many people usually go to a group?
This varies. Groups usually have between eight and 15 people, plus Windana’s Peer Leader. Most people come in-person, with about four or five people joining us via Zoom.
Do I need to be a Windana client or resident to join?
No. We welcome all people aged 18 or older who have experienced issues with drugs and alcohol. Meetings are usually attended by a mix of people including people who haven’t been to Windana before, past clients, people in the later phases of their residential rehabilitation (Therapeutic Community) program and people connected to our other services – such as Care and Recovery Coordination, Counselling and our Family Program.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed, however please contact us before you come to a group for the first time so we can confirm some details. You do not need to go through a formal Intake and Assessment process to attend Peer Support group – you just need to check in with us first.
If you’re a referrer, you can encourage your client to reach out to us. For more information, also visit our ‘My client or patient needs support’ webpage.
What if I need more support at the end of a group?
Members are invited to speak with the Peer Leader after the group ends. This is an opportunity to access extra support or resources that relate to issues raised in the meeting.
Are groups confidential?
In groups – what’s said in the group stays in the group! This is one of our Peer Support Group Guidelines (more on these below).
When we speak with you before you come to a group for the first time, we will ask you some personal information. We collect this information as a requirement of our reporting procedures and to ensure ongoing funding for Peer Support. This information is not shared in the group.
What else do I need to know?
We have Peer Support Group Guidelines to ensure groups are safe. We run through these in each meeting, but you can also read them below:
- If you are substance affected, refrain from attending.
- Physical and verbal aggression will not be tolerated.
- We will respect each other and not talk when others are speaking and will follow the group format and feedback guidelines.
- The group is encouraged to remain positive. We are here to support each other and learn from the experience of others.
- We will be aware of how long we share and leave time for as many members to share as possible.
- We will be mindful of the language we use and refrain from sharing traumatic events as this can be triggering for others.
- What is said in the room stays in the room. This will only be breached if there are issues of safety for group members or others.
- Please make sure your mobile phone is off or on silent.
More information
Click below to download a two-page leaflet about Peer Support Groups.
This leaflet includes most of the information on this page.
“After hearing peers’ journeys, people often say “I could do that!””.
– Peer Leader
Peer Support Group
Welcome from Windana’s Peer Support Group. This page covers what Peer Support is, how our groups work, and how you can join in to benefit from shared experiences - at any stage of your journey with alcohol and other drugs. .
Fast facts.
- Type of group: Weekly groups (attend as often as you wish)
- Location: St Kilda and Frankston (in-person), or join online over Zoom
- When: St Kilda: Mondays 1:00pm-2:30pm; Frankston: Fridays 2:00pm-3:30pm (ex. public holidays)
- Eligibility: Aged 18+ with experience of alcohol/drugs
- Referral: Referral not required
- Cost: Free
What is Peer Support?.
Peers are people who have similar experiences. In this case, peers are people who know what it’s like to have issues with alcohol and other drugs.
‘Peer Support’ is when peers use their experiences to help each other.
Peer Support can make a positive difference in your life. It can:
- Help you build hope for reaching your goals (recovery, work, family, health, or anything else you want to achieve)
- Provide you with positive role models
- Offer a welcoming place to meet new people
- Help you find a sense of belonging and shared identity in a place where you are understood
- Pass on new skills and knowledge
- Help you build your confidence and self-esteem
- Give you encouragement from people who have had similar experiences, and give you the opportunity to help others too (which feels great!)
- Be a place to learn about peers’ experiences with different Windana programs and services – including Counselling, the Family Program and ResetLife.
Our Peer Support groups.
Windana has two Peer Support Groups:
- St Kilda on Mondays: 1:00pm to 2:30pm (88 Alma Road)
- Frankston on Fridays: 2:00pm to 3:30pm (31 Playne Street).
People who can’t make it in person can join via Zoom:
- Meeting ID: 997 6241 1121
- Passcode: 819144
- Or click here.
The groups run weekly, except on public holidays.
Groups are led by Windana’s trained Peer Leader and are attended by people who share experiences of drug and alcohol use.
This is an ongoing, open group – meaning you can come as often as you need. You’re welcome to try a group just once, attend every week or come back whenever you feel the need of support from peers.
Attending Peer Support group is completely free.
Please refrain from attending if you are substance affected, so we can ensure a safe place for all.
What happens in a group?
“In our Peer Support groups, you can ask for feedback and share ideas that support your recovery – such as practicing self-care every day, trying yoga, going to a 12-step program, going to the gym, stopping smoking or going back to TAFE and studying.” – Peer Leader
Each group is different. That’s because members steer the chat based on what people wish to share and discuss in the group.
Peer Support group give you an opportunity to talk about the things that affect you, learn from others, find common ground and encourage your peers to make positive changes.
To give you an idea, here’s how a typical group is structured:
- Acknowledgment of Country.
- Welcome members and record attendance.
- Choose a volunteer to read out the group guidelines.
- Feelings check – Each person introduces themselves and shares how they’re feeling. After a member shares, they are asked whether they are open to hearing feedback from the group. This discussion is the main part of the group and is where topics come up – such as emotions, family, relationships, health, goals and more.
- Check-out: Each member shares how they feel at the end of the group.
Sometimes, a Guest Peer might join a group. Guest Peers are people with many years of recovery experience, who share special insight to help others at different stages of their journey.
What do we mean by ‘feedback’?
Feedback is not about judgement or giving advice – but is about offering people something to consider based on personal experience.
Eligibility: Is this for me?.
Windana’s Peer Support Group is open to anyone in Victoria aged 18 years or above who has experience of alcohol and drug use.
People at all stages of their journey are welcome – whether your drug use is in the past or you are still using. We just ask that you are not substance affected when you join us in-person or online.
Under 18 and interested in Peer Support? Check out SHARC.
How do I come to a meeting?.
You do not need a referral to come to a group.
If you have any questions, please contact Windana Reception by phone on 03 9529 7955, by email at or by coming to the Community Services Building in St Kilda (88 Alma Road). Reception is staffed Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 4:30pm.
If you’re already connected to Windana, feel free to speak to a staff member about coming to a Peer Support meeting.
Important: If you need support immediately or someone to talk to about accessing drug and alcohol services in Victoria, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 (available 24/7) or visit www.directline.org.au.
Common questions about our Peer Support group.
How many people usually go to a group?
This varies. Groups usually have between eight and 15 people, plus Windana’s Peer Leader. Most people come in-person, with about four or five people joining us via Zoom.
Do I need to be a Windana client or resident to join?
No. We welcome all people aged 18 or older who have experienced issues with drugs and alcohol. Meetings are usually attended by a mix of people including people who haven’t been to Windana before, past clients, people in the later phases of their residential rehabilitation (Therapeutic Community) program and people connected to our other services – such as Care and Recovery Coordination, Counselling and our Family Program.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed, however please contact us before you come to a group for the first time so we can confirm some details. You do not need to go through a formal Intake and Assessment process to attend Peer Support group – you just need to check in with us first.
If you’re a referrer, you can encourage your client to reach out to us. For more information, also visit our ‘My client or patient needs support’ webpage.
What if I need more support at the end of a group?
Members are invited to speak with the Peer Leader after the group ends. This is an opportunity to access extra support or resources that relate to issues raised in the meeting.
Are groups confidential?
In groups – what’s said in the group stays in the group! This is one of our Peer Support Group Guidelines (more on these below).
When we speak with you before you come to a group for the first time, we will ask you some personal information. We collect this information as a requirement of our reporting procedures and to ensure ongoing funding for Peer Support. This information is not shared in the group.
What else do I need to know?
We have Peer Support Group Guidelines to ensure groups are safe. We run through these in each meeting, but you can also read them below:
- If you are substance affected, refrain from attending.
- Physical and verbal aggression will not be tolerated.
- We will respect each other and not talk when others are speaking and will follow the group format and feedback guidelines.
- The group is encouraged to remain positive. We are here to support each other and learn from the experience of others.
- We will be aware of how long we share and leave time for as many members to share as possible.
- We will be mindful of the language we use and refrain from sharing traumatic events as this can be triggering for others.
- What is said in the room stays in the room. This will only be breached if there are issues of safety for group members or others.
- Please make sure your mobile phone is off or on silent.
More information.
Click below to download a two-page leaflet about Peer Support Groups.
This leaflet includes most of the information on this page..
Important to know:
“After hearing peers’ journeys, people often say “I could do that!””.
– Peer Leader
.Contact Details
For phone numbers, please visit our Contact Us page
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