Intentional Peer Support (IPS) is a relationship-based approach to support that emphasizes mutual learning, shared experience, and growth between individuals.

It is rooted in the idea that people who have similar lived experiences can provide meaningful support to one another, helping each other through challenges in a way that is different from traditional therapeutic or clinical approaches.

In IPS, the focus is on intentionality, meaning that the interactions between peers are purposeful, focused, and goal-oriented. The approach encourages both individuals (the peer supporters and the people they support) to be open, vulnerable, and actively engaged in the process of building understanding and resilience.

Key principles of IPS include:

1. Mutuality: Both people in the relationship have something to offer. The peer supporter is not seen as the "expert," but rather as someone who shares experiences and learns together with the person being supported.

2. Shared experience: While each person’s experience is unique, IPS recognizes the value of shared understanding, where individuals with similar life experiences (such as mental health struggles, addiction, or other personal challenges) connect and help each other navigate their challenges.

3. Empowerment: The goal of IPS is to empower individuals to take control of their own lives, decisions, and healing. It aims to move away from hierarchical models of support and encourage self-advocacy and personal growth.

4. Connection: Building genuine, human connections is at the core of IPS. These connections are built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding, rather than formal authority or roles.

5. Transformational: IPS is not just about solving problems; it's about fostering growth, resilience, and transformation through authentic peer relationships.

IPS is commonly used in areas where individuals might benefit from peer relationships to navigate personal challenges.

Collective wisdom refers to the shared knowledge, insights, and experiences of a group of individuals, which can be used to make more informed decisions, solve problems, and enhance understanding. When individuals come together and share their unique perspectives, the result is often greater than the sum of the parts. Here are some key benefits of collective wisdom:

1. Diverse Perspectives

• Collective wisdom draws on the varied experiences, knowledge, and viewpoints of all members, providing a richer and more nuanced understanding of situations. This diversity can lead to creative solutions that one individual might not have considered on their own.

2. Better Decision-Making

• When a group works together to solve a problem or make a decision, the collective input helps mitigate bias and blind spots. This leads to more balanced, thoughtful, and well-rounded outcomes.

3. Problem-Solving Efficiency

• Multiple minds working together can solve problems faster and more effectively than one person alone. By pooling ideas, resources, and skills, the group can tackle challenges with a broader range of tools and approaches.

4. Increased Innovation

• Collective wisdom fosters creativity and innovation. The convergence of different ideas and experiences can spark new approaches and solutions, which wouldn't emerge from individual thinking alone. People in a community or group often bring insights from different fields or backgrounds, which enhances the potential for groundbreaking ideas.

5. Shared Accountability

• With collective wisdom, responsibility and accountability are shared among group members. This creates a sense of joint ownership in decisions, initiatives, and outcomes, which can increase motivation and engagement.

6. Learning and Growth

• Engaging with others' experiences and perspectives encourages continuous learning. Members of a community can grow and develop by sharing knowledge and challenging each other’s thinking, leading to personal and professional growth.

7. Support and Encouragement

• In communities, particularly those built on peer support (like our Matriarchy community), collective wisdom can create an environment of mutual encouragement. Individuals feel supported in their journeys and can share valuable coping strategies, advice, and insights, building confidence and resilience in each other.

8. Empathy and Connection

• Sharing wisdom fosters empathy as group members begin to understand each other’s experiences, struggles, and triumphs. This creates strong bonds of trust and connection, making the community more cohesive and supportive.

9. Resource Sharing

• Collective wisdom often includes the sharing of resources, whether they are practical tools, emotional support, or knowledge about where to find help. This reduces individual burdens and ensures that everyone has access to the necessary tools for success.

10. Community Strength and Resilience

• When communities tap into their collective wisdom, they become stronger and more resilient. The ability to draw on shared knowledge helps the group navigate challenges and bounce back from adversity, creating a sense of solidarity.

11. Fostering Collaboration

• Collective wisdom encourages a culture of collaboration rather than competition. When individuals work together, they can pool their talents, experiences, and ideas to achieve common goals, leading to a greater sense of shared success.

12. Long-Term Sustainability

• By learning from the past and incorporating lessons from multiple experiences, collective wisdom helps individuals and communities make decisions that are sustainable in the long term. This ensures that solutions not only address current needs but also lay the foundation for future success.

13. Validation and Assurance

• When a person receives feedback or validation from a group, it can help them feel more confident in their choices. Collective wisdom offers assurance that individuals are not alone in their experiences, giving them the emotional strength to move forward.

In summary, collective wisdom can make individuals and communities more informed, adaptable, creative, and connected, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

It's clear that single mothers in Australia face significant challenges that can heavily impact their mental health. Here's a breakdown of the statistics and how community support can help:

• The HILDA Survey has shown a concerning trend of increasing poor mental health among single mothers. Data shows a rise in poor mental health of single mothers from 22 per cent in 2011 to 31 per cent in 2019 and 38 per cent in 2022. This is significantly higher than partnered mothers.  

• Research indicates that single mothers are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.  

• Financial Stress and Housing Instability:

  • Single-parent families experience some of the lowest incomes and highest poverty rates in Australia.  

  • They also have the highest rates of housing stress, with a significant portion of their income going towards housing costs.  

  • Financial strain is a major contributor to mental health issues.

• Isolation and Lack of Support:

  • Single mothers often experience social isolation, which can exacerbate mental health problems.  

  • The burden of sole parenting can lead to a lack of time for social activities and self-care.  

• Impact of Domestic Violence:

  • It is shown that women who have experienced partner violence or abuse are more likely to be living as single mothers.

  • Experiencing Domestic violence heavily impacts mental health.  

How Online and Face-to-Face Communities Can Help:

• Combating Isolation:

  • Online communities provide a sense of connection and belonging, reducing feelings of isolation. Single mothers can connect with others who understand their experiences, regardless of their location or time constraints.  

  • Face-to-face events offer opportunities for in-person interaction, building stronger social bonds and providing a support network.  

• Providing Emotional Support:

  • Online forums and support groups offer a safe space for single mothers to share their feelings, concerns, and challenges.  

  • Peer support can be invaluable, as members can offer empathy, understanding, and encouragement.

• Sharing Resources and Information:

  • Online communities can be a central hub for sharing information about available resources, such as financial assistance, childcare support, and mental health services.  

  • Face-to-face events can feature workshops and presentations on relevant topics.

• Building Resilience:

  • Connecting with other single mothers who have overcome similar challenges can inspire hope and build resilience.

  • Sharing stories of strength and success can empower others to cope with their own difficulties.

• Reducing Stigma:

  • Online and in-person communities can help reduce the stigma associated with single motherhood and mental health issues.

  • Creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment encourages members to seek help when needed.

By fostering strong communities, with a focus on not just online interactions but also regular in person meetups we can provide single mothers with the support they need to thrive.

The safety of all of our members is of utmost importance, we want to ensure that single mothers in this community can feel comfortable to share, trust their information will be kept private and feel open to talk freely about topics that are important to us.

Asking potential members to apply to join means that we can ensure that members align with our values, share our vision and are willing to contribute to the health and harmony of the community to keep us all safe online and in our local communities.

This space is only open to those who identify as a single mother and have been vetted by another member. The spaces are moderated to ensure respectful conversations and privacy is maintained for all members.

Safety for us is ALL of our responsibility, so if you see something in the community that does not abide by our community guidelines then please contact us at: hello@matriarchyapp.com or contact an admin within the app.