Building Rural Peer Support Networks: Hope, Resilience, and the Power of Lived Experience

At the May 2026 Power of Peer Support Conference in Ottawa, Sarah Ryan, Outreach and Education Coordinator with the Well-Being HUB, and Lyn Miles, a founding volunteer with the Well-being HUB and trained Peer Support Specialist, shared the story of how lived experience became the foundation for building a rural peer support network on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore and in the Musquodoboit Valley.

Their presentation, Building Rural Peer Support Networks: Hope and Resilience on the East Coast of Atlantic Canada, highlighted how community members, volunteers, and organizations came together to address gaps in mental health and wellness supports in rural communities. Through a combination of personal stories, community engagement, and collaborative program design, the presentation demonstrated how peer support can help bridge barriers created by geography, transportation challenges, and limited access to traditional services.

The session began with Sarah and Lyn sharing their own lived experiences and wellness journeys. While their paths were unique, they discovered a common theme: many rural residents struggled to find supports that reflected their needs, experiences, and realities. Conversations with community members reinforced what they had experienced themselves—people wanted opportunities to connect with others who truly understood what they were going through. This insight became the catalyst for developing a rural peer support program designed specifically for the communities it would serve.

The Well-Being HUB, a community wellness non-profit serving the Eastern Shore and Musquodoboit Valley, focuses on strengthening mental wellness through education, training, and community-based programming. From Mental Wellness and Ambassadors Program (MWAP) courses and ASIST training to journaling workshops, seniors' programming, horse therapy partnerships, and community wellness initiatives, the organization has built its work around connection, trust, and the strengths that already exist within local communities.

A key message throughout the presentation was the importance of co-design. In late 2023, the Well-Being HUB established a Peer Support Working Group composed of individuals with lived experience who helped shape every aspect of the program. Rather than being consulted after decisions were made, peers were involved from the beginning. As Lyn explained during the presentation, the goal was to ensure that "peers are the architects, not token advisors." This philosophy helped create a program grounded in real community needs and informed by the people it was intended to support.

Serving a region that spans approximately 150km of coastline and valley communities presents unique challenges. Transportation, weather, income, and access to reliable internet can all affect a person's ability to receive support. Recognizing this reality, the Well-Being HUB designed a flexible model that offers phone, virtual, and in-person peer support options. 

Participants can choose the approach that best meets their needs and can move between formats as circumstances change. In-person sessions may take place in community halls, libraries, churches, or on walking trails, while virtual and phone-based support help reduce transportation barriers and increase accessibility.

The presentation also highlighted the importance of supporting peer supporters themselves. 

Drawing on lived experience can be incredibly meaningful, but it also requires strong wellness practices and clear boundaries. The Well-Being HUB has established a Community of Practice where peer supporters can gather to share experiences, build skills, and debrief challenging situations. Wellness kits, self-care strategies, and strong partnerships with clinical and community organizations help ensure that both participants and peer supporters remain supported throughout the process.

Another important theme explored during the session was the value of collective impact. The Well-Being HUB has intentionally built relationships with community organizations, healthcare partners, and local service providers to create warm referral pathways and coordinated supports. This collaborative approach strengthens the overall system of care while ensuring that peer support remains connected to broader community resources.

Reflecting on the lessons learned, Sarah emphasized that successful rural peer support programs do not require complex infrastructure. Instead, they require listening, relationship-building, and a willingness to learn alongside the community. Starting small, building on existing strengths, and including diverse voices throughout the design process proved essential to the program's success.

The presentation concluded with a message that resonated strongly with conference participants: geographic isolation does not have to mean mental health isolation. Rural communities possess tremendous assets—local knowledge, informal networks of support, dedicated volunteers, and resilient residents. By recognizing and organizing those strengths through peer support, communities can create meaningful pathways to wellness, connection, and hope.

For Sarah Ryan and Lyn Miles, presenting at the Power of Peer Support Conference was an opportunity to share not only the story of a program, but the story of a community. Their experiences demonstrated that when lived experience is valued, relationships are prioritized, and community members are empowered to lead, meaningful change becomes possible. The success of the Well-Being HUB's peer support initiative serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when rural communities come together to support one another and build hope for the future.