Peer Navigators

Why do you have Peer Navigators, and how can I be involved?

Decorative icon showing a group of people with stars above their heads.

We employ local tenants and residents as Peer Navigators who act as community connectors and champions for their neighbourhoods.

In partnership with Bolton Community and Voluntary Services (or Bolton CVS, which you can learn more about here www.boltoncvs.org.uk, link opens in a new tab), we’ve recruited over 34 Peer Navigators since the programme started in 2018.

Our Peer Navigators focus on themes that are important to their community, such as cohesion and environmental improvements.

They work to connect more individuals to the community sector offer, supporting and enabling individuals to access appropriate services, and promoting self-care and behaviour change. Their roles also involve listening to neighbours and local residents to understand local issues, in addition to supporting local community activities.

You can hear from some of our current and former Peer Navigators below.


Interested in becoming a Peer Navigator for your area?

If you’re interested in making a positive impact in your community, think about applying to become a Peer Navigator. It’s an ideal role for those who want to contribute and create change.

When they're available we'll post our Peer Navigator vacancies on this page (below), and on our main www.boltonathome.org.uk/jobs page.

If there are no vacancies currently listed below, you can register your interest in future vacancies by emailing our Community Engagement Team. Just use ceteam@boltonathome.org.uk, leaving:

  • your full name,
  • preferred email address/telephone number,
  • and your postcode if you're a Bolton at Home tenant.

Tap to meet our Peer Navigator for Great Lever: Tracey Mason

Portrait image of Tracey Mason, our Peer Navigator for Great Lever

Tracey Mason is our Peer Navigator for Great Lever:

Tracey will finish her role as a Peer Navigator on: Wednesday 16 October 2024

“At the moment I am helping to organise some summer events for the children of Great Holme Estate. We have organised other events for the community in the past, which have been enjoyed by many.

"I have also had an idea to set up a community gardening/environmental group for when we exit the Great Holme pilot. Residents can then take it upon themselves to keep the estate clean and tidy, including litter picks once a month, and communal areas that may need weeds removing or a general tidy up.

"My role as a Peer Navigator is nearly at an end which makes me sad as I have thoroughly enjoyed this role. I have really enjoyed being part of an amazing team doing an amazing job and would love to continue doing something similar in the future.”

Likes: Learning British Sign Language, being creative, being in a job I enjoy, family time.

Dislikes: Bad manners, disrespect.

Tracey wanted to share a poem where she reflects on her time supporting the residents of Great Holme Estate. You can listen to, or read it below:

We moved into a little flat

On Marlbrook Walk, Great Holme

We had a plan to get the best

Out of the office we call home

We had a job to ask around

And find out what you need

From house repairs to community

And planting sunflower seeds

You wanted more activities

For the children on the estate

We planned all kinds of things to do

With a pasty on a plate


We had days out, we had days in

And everyone came together

From litter picks and bug hunts

Depending on the weather

So many different services

We brought along the way

From Money Advice to UCAN

On Tuesday and Thursday

Then we have our Darren

The hero of it all

The residents have loved it

Having him on call

He did all of the little jobs

And fixed a lot for them

He gained all of their trust

And now they call him friend

But now our time is over

And we still want you to shine

Take care of your community

We're always on the line

01204 328000

Tap to meet our Peer Navigator for Halliwell: Emily Barrow

Portrait image of Emily Barrow, our Peer Navigator for Halliwell.

Emily Barrow is our Peer Navigator for Halliwell:

Emily will finish her role as a Peer Navigator in: September 2025

"Before I started this job in April 2024, I was frustrated with not being able to participate in the community due to ill health. I had lots of ideas and wanted to make a change to help people, who were in a similar situation.

"I have now - with the help of my colleagues - started to do this and hope to improve the environment in the local area.

"I am currently working on creating a community garden plot, which I hope will inspire local residents to come and grow their own produce, and that it will improve their wellbeing and confidence in a green and relaxing space.”

Likes: Cooking, gardening, travelling, fashion design, and music.

Dislikes: Wasabi, horseradish, football, waiting for buses.

A look at Emily's story before she started as our Peer Navigator for Halliwell:

Emily is a Bolton at Home tenant who was being supported by a Disability Employment Advisor at the Job Centre to find work when we met her. 

Emily felt she’d benefit from an Adult Work Experience Placement, saying: "I really wanted to work and had been job searching for years. It was becoming very despairing for me, as I felt that now I had gotten myself better, but I was becoming more isolated.

“I felt left-out of society. I’ve always been a hard worker, but I felt like nobody would believe this anymore because now I had a health condition.”

After chatting with Emily and her Advisor, we thought that one of our long-standing opportunities on Bolton CVS’ reception would be a great fit. Emily met the staff at CVS and was nervous but happy to start. 

At first, Emily was concerned about her health, how she would manage her diabetes, and how this would be accepted by staff in a work environment, but she said: "During my placement everyone was very accepting – but most importantly it was the right environment for me and the right people to be around, for which I am so grateful." 

Alongside the work placement, Emily was provided with Life Coaching sessions, CV support, application support, and given one-to-one preparation for an interview she had later secured.

"This opportunity has helped me get a job and it has helped me to build my confidence. I now know I can hold down a job with my health conditions. I feel less isolated and less vulnerable after volunteering and working with Niki (Volunteer Coordinator for Bolton at Home)." 

After completing her work experience placement, Emily secured a part-time, paid 18-month contract as a Peer Navigator. This role continues to support her and helps her prepare for her next job. Emily says she’s eager to find “a full-time job with exciting prospects!”

We caught up with Emily three months into her role as Peer Navigator for Halliwell:

“I have been busy getting stuck into projects; this includes trying to improve some of the housing estates grounds and green areas that are local to me. And the really exciting part is that my health is continuing to improve, and I am not getting too tired! Also, for the last four weeks I have had enough energy to walk without my stick.”

After being taken ill by a strange virus leaving her close to death - and then battling long term health conditions and being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - we're so proud of how hard Emily has worked to rebuild her strength and her life to get where she is today. 

“I have gained so much confidence, as being so unwell strips your confidence and this has enabled me to be hopeful again and looking forward to what the future may bring!”

“I am not entirely sure what I would like to go onto do next, just that I would like a good salary and enjoy my job, with prospects that mean it is not like the old days prior to becoming sick where I had jobs that were not careers, but dead-end and low paid. This made life very hard!”

Tap to meet our Peer Navigator for Farnworth: Stuart Fletcher

Portrait image of Stuart Fletcher, our Peer Navigator for Farnworth.

Stuart Fletcher is our Peer Navigator for Farnworth:

Stuart will finish his role as a Peer Navigator in: September 2025

"I'm looking forward to participating in future projects on estates in Farnworth."

Likes: Walking, cycling, and generally getting out into nature.

Dislikes: Litter, pollution, and food waste.

Tap to meet our Environment Peer Navigator for North Bolton: Milly Zlabyte

Portrait image of Milly Zlabyte, our Environment Peer Navigator for North Bolton.

Milly Zlabyte is our Environment Peer Navigator for North Bolton:

Milly will finish her role as a Peer Navigator in: May 2025

“In the Peer Navigator role, I am focused on creating a series of collaborative projects; an environmental after school activity at Hall'i'th'wood, Red Lane Community Garden with Alun (Climate Change Apprentice), undergoing plans for a more sustainable building at Bolton CVS and seeing where else I can help.”

Likes: Parks, doggies, family time, crafts and art, sporting adventures, friendly faces.

Dislikes: Staying in one place too long, early mornings, gloomy weather, Brussels sprouts.

Tap to meet our Environment Peer Navigator for South Bolton: Jonathan Hurst

Portrait image of Jonathan Hurst, our Environment Peer Navigator for South Bolton.

Jonathan Hurst is our Environment Peer Navigator for South Bolton:

Jon will finish his role as a Peer Navigator in: May 2025

“At the moment I'm enjoying working on Bankfield Allotment. The site has lots of potential and great facilities such as poly tunnels and a shelter.

"Unfortunately, the site has been neglected for some time, so has become unsafe for the public. There is however, one regular volunteer using the site and lots of interest from the surrounding community and local groups to use the space.

"I’m currently in the process of bringing the site up to a reasonable standard, so that the community can begin to enjoy the site again and hopefully, it will have a bright future.”

Likes: Every morning, I like to wake up early and go to the gym before work. I feel like it sets me up for the day, putting me in a positive frame of mind.  I also enjoy coaching a kids rugby team; Westhoughton Lions U11's. Great set of kids, and I love to see them develop and have success on and off the field.  Another thing I love is travel. Having lived and worked in a few different countries around the world, I love to experience the different cultures and (try to) learn new languages.

Dislikes: My dislikes are cats (as I'm allergic to them), and eggs. I've always wanted to eat eggs because I know they're good for me, I just can’t stand the smell.  Lastly, I dislike negativity. I like to consider myself a positive person, so I enjoy being around people who are positive.

Our former Peer Navigators share their experiences and where they are now (published in March 2024)

Debbie talks about her time as a Peer Navigator:

“It really gave me the confidence to be Debbie again. I was happy to get up to go to work.”

Debbie Mercer, who worked as our Peer Navigator for Halliwell, talks about where she was before she applied for the job, her critical role in supporting the community during the pandemic, how she used (and continues to use) her digital expertise to keep people connected, where she works now, and more.


Dawn's Peer Navigator story:

Dawn Exley’s story stands as just one of many reasons our Peer Navigator project is worth celebrating - and you’ll hear it in this short film.

Dawn talks about where she was before she applied to become a Peer Navigator, some of the amazing things she did for the Breightmet community, the impact it’s had on her personally, where she works now, and more.


Carol talks about her time as a Peer Navigator:

Listen to Carol’s interview to hear how being a Peer Navigator brought her out of her comfort zone, enabled her to bring her passion for arts and crafts to the community, helped her build new friendships, and more.


Shelley's Peer Navigator story:

Have you heard Shelley’s story?

Despite having to overcome a number of hurdles, Shelley’s journey from being our Johnson Fold Peer Navigator, to completing a university degree, then stepping into a full-time managerial role is nothing short of inspirational.


Rachel talks about her time as a Peer Navigator:

In this short video, Rachel talks about why she wanted to become a Peer Navigator, some of her personal highlights (including meeting King Charles), the impact it’s had on her personal development, what she’s doing now, and more.


Milly talks about her time as a Peer Navigator:

In this short film, Milly Stanworth, who worked as our Peer Navigator for Johnson Fold, talks about her perseverance, personal development, projects she’s worked on, why you should apply to become a Peer Navigator, and what she’s doing now.


Alun talks about his time as a Peer Navigator:

In this short interview, Alun Morris (who worked as our Peer Navigator for Breightmet) talks us through his unique journey as a Peer Navigator – including the impact he thinks the role had on himself and his community.

At the end, you’ll also find out what Alun’s doing now.

Tap here to view "A day in the life of a Peer Navigator by Stevie" (published in June 2020)

Originally published in June 2020, here's a short 'day in the life' piece from Stevie, our former Peer Navigator for Farnworth:

"My role mainly revolves around the pantry and working on the database side. Working in a community where you're well known can be hard work, but it's very rewarding.

"Seeing people and the day to day struggles they face hits home, but it's amazing when you know you can help them. I've found that helping others also helps me (without even knowing I needed it).

"Starting the job was very nerve racking as I hadn’t worked in years due to starting a family. But the other Peer Navigators supported me through it and we all helped each other along the way. We're a Peer Navigator family..! 

"The job itself is absolutely amazing and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to be a part of the Bolton at Home team!

"Here are some of my top tips for Peer Navigators:

  • Be flexible.
  • Always check your diary.
  • Attend all training opportunities.
  • Love your community.
  • Keep in touch with the other Peer Navigators.
  • Never be afraid to push for your goals.
  • And enjoy every last minute, as it goes by in a flash!"

Tap here to view the "Award praise for ‘inspiring’ Bolton Peer Navigators scheme" article (published in December 2018)

Originally published in December 2018, here's a look back at when our Peer Navigators project won the 'Trojan Mice Award':

A new community wellbeing project launched in Bolton has been praised after winning a top health award.

The ‘Peer Navigators’ project has seen us employ Bolton at Home tenants to work in their community, helping neighbours access support to make positive changes and live healthier lives.

The scheme has been piloted in Johnson Fold and saw four local women, all Bolton at Home tenants, gain employment in March 2018.

So far, they’ve helped 104 local families access support from community projects and public services, as well create new groups to encourage healthy eating and better mental health.

Peer Navigators has now won a ‘Trojan Mice Award’ at the 2018 Excellence in Health Creation Awards, being described as “inspiring” and “amazing” by the judges.

Shauna Morton, Head of Community Engagement for Bolton at Home said: “Peer Navigators is all about valuing what local people can offer. Our customers are the ones who know their community best and how to encourage and support the people they live alongside.

“Their role is to listen to neighbours to understand local issues. They can then support individuals to access appropriate services, promoting self-care and behaviour change in people and the community.

“We’re looking to expand the Peer Navigators in other communities within Bolton and believe it has the potential to lead to better long-term health and wellbeing, as well as creating employment for the navigators themselves.”

Managed by Bolton at Home staff, in partnership with Bolton Council, the Placed Based Integration (PBI) Team and Bolton Community and Voluntary Services, the Peer Navigators have focused on four themes – families and food, employment, environment and women’s wellbeing.

So far, they have helped organise drugs awareness talks for parents and children and developed a crèche facility alongside women’s wellbeing groups to allow more women to attend them.

A healthy lifestyles group, promoting healthy eating and positive mental health, has also been set up in direct response to requests from people who wanted to lose weight and boost their confidence. There have also been cookery demonstrations using fruit and vegetables from local food growing sites.

The ‘Trojan Mice Awards’ are so-called because they recognise small changes in practice that have had a large positive change on people or communities. The awards are organised by the NHS Alliance.