Educating - Peer Involvement Project (PIP)

The Peer Involvement Project (PIP) seeks to ensure wider voluntary sector involvement in Scotland in Hepatitis C issues and to secure meaningful input from service users.   

PIP is a major cog in the Educating part of the Resource Centre's work.  It is an innovative initiative to create links amongst local voluntary sector organisations to increase people's access to education, testing and treatment for Hepatitis C. PIP recognises that only through aggressive engagement with the wider voluntary sector can groups at risk of hepatitis C infection that are socially excluded be given access to the information they need to make decisions about their health.

After a successful bid under the Phase II Action Plan, PIP will work in 20 areas of high risk prevalence of hepatitis C in the next 2 years.  The project works through short term interventions around briefing events, consultancy and training and sets up local partnerships to ensure a ‘legacy' is maintained once the initial intervention is completed.  So far, the Project has conducted highly successful events in Lanarkshire and Highland with up and coming events in Aryshire & Arran and Dumfries & Galloway.

In Scotland it is estimated over 40,000 people are infected with Hepatitis C. The Peer Involvement Project aims to raise awareness among voluntary organisations whose clients may be at risk. By being aware of how the virus can be transmitted and how to prevent the spread of Hepatitis C voluntary organisations can advise their clients about the risks of transmission and where to go for testing.

Clients who may have a history of drug taking or are currently partaking in risky behaviour need support and guidance to lead healthier lifestyles. If a client is diagnosed with Hepatitis C support is crucial for making important decisions about treatment and coping during and after treatment.

How the Voluntary Sector can help

The Voluntary Sector can help to raise awareness and offer support to their clients affected by Hepatitis C. Many people who have Hepatitis C are diagnosed or are diagnosed and living in fear. Stigma and having no one to turn to leads to isolation and depression. People often need care and support to enable them to make decisions about their health and be able to cope with treatment.

By raising skills and abilities for working with people affected by Hepatitis C, the voluntary sector can help in preventing the spread of Hepatitis C and be recognised in playing an active role in supporting people to go towards treatment and completing treatment.  Developing a network within the voluntary sector will enable us all to share information and support one another in providing sustainable support that will help people with Hepatitis C 

Find out about the risks

For more information on the Peer Involvement Project, please contact the Resource Centre on

0131 474 8044