Peer Support Circles
Our Peer Support Circles have helped hundreds of women so far, and you could be next.
Our Peer Support Circles are the perfect way to connect with other women as you explore your pathway into politics together.
Structured as a 7-session journey, each is composed of peers from across the political spectrum who create a safe space to support one another and to encourage your ambitions. Run three times a year, we invite women who are considering standing for elected office to apply for this free programme.
“I have loved meeting my peer group, women who are like minded and inspirational in their own right. I have learnt a lot about myself and my place in politics. ”
Using the power of coaching, reflection and peer connection, over 7 weekly sessions, you will explore:
Your political goals
Your aspirations broken down into clear, purposeful and achievable tasks.
Your story
Succinctly communicate who you are and what you’d like to achieve.
How to build your team
Identify what you need support with and who could help you achieve it.
Your public presence
Learn how to increase your visibility, how to stay safe online, alongside valuable marketing skills, tools and shared experience.
Building your influence
Develop your communication skills and learn how to handle conflict like a pro!
Register your interest for our Peer Support Circles in 2025 and be the first to hear when it opens for application.
“This was a proper lighting bulb ‘well now it’s obvious’ moment for me. I’m speaking up in meetings and in public now, far more frequently and without that swirling stomach feeling that was rooted in insecurity, doubt and fear.”
Exploring topics such as goal setting, storytelling, team building and influence the Circles create a deliberate and intentional space for your individual personal and political growth, creating peer support to encourage you onwards.
To participate in the Peer Support Circles, you will want to be:
MOTIVATED
You are seriously considering running for political office and want to explore this further. It could be that you know you want to run at the next available opportunity, or right now may not be the time, but you know you want to prepare for it.
COMMITTED
You are ready to do the work, carving out time every week in the programme to ensure you get the most out of what we can offer you, committing to each weekly session as well as completing lovework (our version of homework!) in your own time.
OPEN
You are willing to try new things, build new connections, to understand and discuss the views of others, to receive feedback and share your experiences with others.
RESPECTFUL
Our work is cross-party and inclusive, and we believe that bringing women together across political perspectives is a powerful benefit to supporting women into politics. Circles will be open to women of all political parties, and none.
FAQs
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The circles are a fully inclusive space welcoming ALL women. This programme is open to women from all parties and none, and whoever feels they would benefit from accessing this space whatever stage of their political journey they’re at.
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We are however highly aware that some women from under-represented communities may seek sisterhood and strength from connecting with women with similar intersecting identities. If this is you, and you would particularly like to be put in a circle with other women of a specific intersection, then there is space to articulate that in the registration.
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Yes! They are free. We will offer an option to donate to Elect Her at the end of the sessions.
“To hold your hand up and say I would like to stand felt like a huge step forward and also quite a large step into the dark. Taking part in Peer Circles turned on the light and helped me to clearly see the types of self development that I would need to undertake on the journey to pursuing candidacy.”
Adele - Cohort 5