Peer Research: A Three-Part Video Series
This project was delivered as part of Phase II of the Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS), based at the University of Stirling, funded by the Scottish Government, and approved by the DRNS Phase II Steering Committee. Videos were created by Josh Dumbrell, with procurement managed by Jess Greenhalgh. The featured peer researchers are part of the East Renfrewshire Peer Research Initiative, a project commissioned by the East Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP).
The Drugs Research Network Scotland is proud to present the first in a series of three videos featuring our trained peer researchers. In this video, we explore a range of personal experiences from individuals in a town with limited support services. The video captures multiple narratives of problem substance use, recovery, and community engagement through research.
Across these stories, participants describe the challenges of accessing treatment, the impact of stigma on help‐seeking, and the frustration of a system that often falls short. They share how, despite these obstacles, peer support, volunteering, and small acts of personal determination have become vital lifelines in their journeys. Recovery is portrayed as a non-linear process marked by setbacks, small victories, and the continuous rebuilding of supportive networks.
This video sets the stage for our series by highlighting how lived experience and community-based initiatives can inspire change, even in areas where resources are scarce.
In the second video of our three-part series by the Drugs Research Network Scotland, our trained peer researchers bring their experiences to life through a lively dramatisation. This video captures a group coming together in a relaxed, sometimes humorous setting where real feelings—nervousness, excitement, and a bit of social anxiety—are openly shared.
Viewers will see how peer-led research breaks down barriers: as the group meets, participants discuss the value of connecting with others who truly understand their journey. They share candid reflections on how having someone with lived experience makes it easier to open up about treatment challenges and personal struggles, and how this trust can transform the way services are delivered.
Ultimately, the video illustrates that when people like us share our stories, we not only build confidence in each other but also inspire real change in our community’s approach to support and recovery. Join us to see how this engaging, peer-driven dialogue is helping to reshape local services for the better.
This final video in the DRNS Peer Research series captures the collaborative process of co-designing a research project to improve support services for individuals who use drugs and alcohol. Bookended by a dramatic mock interview that highlights service users’ anxiety, inconsistent support, and treatment challenges, the video sets the stage for exploring core peer research principles.
