ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF READY STEADY GO-PEEER PROJECT YOUTH WORK IN MEETING THE PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Abstract BACKGROUND Studies show that young people (YP) with chronic kidney disease do less well than their well peers in terms of mental health and employability. In the UK 30% of YP on renal replacement therapy have mental health issues compared to 15% of the general population and more are unemployed compared with their well peers. Many of the issues start in childhood as studies show that children with chronic kidney disease have significant psychosocial issues including: To address these issues, we developed the PEEER project to help improve Patient Empowerment, self-Esteem, Employability and Resilience. Pre-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) PEEER youth worker support was delivered face-to-face (F2F) in a 1:1 setting or group sessions in the hospital, youth spaces, or educational settings. With the onset of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic from 23 March 2020 PEEER youth worker support was adapted to be delivered virtually on the ZOOM platform to meet the needs of CYP. AIMS To assess the effectiveness of PEEER youth work project in meeting the psychosocial needs of children and young people with kidney disease when delivered virtually compared with F2F. METHOD Group 1: Pre-COVID-19 lockdown: 1 January 2020–23 March 2020 CYP and their families received youth worker support F2F. Group 2: During COVID-19 lockdown: 23 March 2020–31 December 2020 youth work was delivered virtually. CYP in Groups 1 and 2 received 1:1 sessions, fun group activities and workshops. Feedback was collected on the effectiveness of these sessions. RESULTS CYP: Group 1 n = 105. Group 2 n = 639. In Group 2 there was a 102% increase/month in CYP accessing PEEER events. In both Groups, 100% said they enjoyed the sessions, would like to attend future sessions. CYP in both Groups felt part of a friendship group, said the sessions allowed them to socialize with their peers. CYP in both Groups felt more confident, more independent and good about themselves. (See Table 2.) CONCLUSION PEEER youth worker support is effective and can meet the psychosocial needs of CYP when delivered virtually and F2F. More work is needed on a hybrid approach of F2F and virtual delivery.