Dan's Story

Daniel Peachy, Wellbeing Worker for P3 Charity’s BeWell service, has been running the Chesterfield Community Group since January 2025. A safe space for people supported by the service to meet, socialise and get advice outside of one-to-one sessions, the group has grown in popularity.

Dan runs the group alongside Jodie Carter, Senior Wellbeing Worker for BeWell. Between them, they bring food, colouring and art supplies, as well as board games and puzzles for people to enjoy.

Set against the backdrop of Chesterfield Football Club’s pitch, the team delivers sessions from an executive box, funded through donations from the team’s Summer Fundraiser in 2025 and the generosity of the club.

Dan starts by saying, “There’s no pressure to be actively involved, a lot of our other [BeWell] teams run quite a structured group, this is more relaxed. Sometimes people just want to sit quietly in others company, and that’s OK with us.

“[The group] started in January last year, it was one of those things that we noticed we needed [to get back up and running] since its shut with Covid. Because of [the pandemic], the people we support didn’t have anything at all to go to. So, I thought it would be great to see my colleagues and give the people we support something to do.”

“Working with Jodie, we managed to find the football stadium and every week since then we’ve ran this group every Tuesday. It gives everyone we support in Chesterfield a chance to come together in a safe space. 

“I’ve lived in Chesterfield my whole life, so I feel like being local has helped me have a better understanding of people who feel isolated. It’s also helped me to have a familiarity with different services and the area.” 

Dan says that people who attend the group often come along with their support workers. This gives them the chance to ask questions or get advice about their support, even if they are mainly there to socialise. 

As a Wellbeing Worker, he says the biggest change he has seen is the positive impact the group has on how people engage with their support afterwards. Dan explains, “They’ve come on leaps and bounds, it’s really nice to see people who wouldn’t even leave their home now attending the social group. After people come along once, they want to keep coming back. 

“We have a wide range of people who attend, with varying socialisation. If you’re quiet, don’t worry, the staff are chatty enough, we will talk your ear off!” 

It’s clear that the BeWell team are a close-knit group of colleagues, with a bubbly yet caring nature. Dan explains that they are all there for the same reason, because they care. He also shares how the team have had to be resourceful, making the most of a small room available just once a week to deliver their sessions. 

He laughs, “You know, I’ve had to bring all the equipment, the toaster, the tea and coffee in my boot for ages just to make sure we can bring these things to our sessions. I did it for them, I wanted them to have a nice and relaxed time.” 

Turning more towards Dan’s experience as a Wellbeing Worker, he says, “I love my job. I think it’s so brilliant being able to meet people, it’s lovely to see people flourish and if I can be part of that process then that is just so rewarding. 

“I’ve always been drawn to this [type of work]. I did a degree in psychology, and I went along the mental health route because of my own personal issues, and seeing family struggle with it. I think that’s why I was drawn to it, though, my mum is a support worker, and my sister is a teacher for children with special educational needs – all of us are in a caring role. 

“When I first started the role, my confidence was incredibly lacking, I was so timid and I really struggled with anxiety. I used to wonder if I was doing the right thing, if I was helping people enough, I used to really stress myself out. But now, I’ve learnt to grow with it. 

“I would say to anyone wanting to start a support role who is suffering with anxiety, ‘just give it a go’ because the rewards outweigh anything else. It’s such a rewarding role. 

“For me, joining during Covid, it meant that my enrolment was tough. Shadowing was limited because of restrictions, so I was kind of in the deep end. But that helped me, and the team are a great support. 

“When I first started this job, I honestly assumed that it was going to be a stepping-stone role for something else. But I’ve been here over 5 years and I love it. I’ve had really good rapport with my colleagues and I’ve enjoyed it overall.” 

The Chesterfield Community Group is just one example of how P3 Charity supports people to build confidence, reduce isolation and feel part of their community. If you’re interested in making a difference and supporting people to thrive, find out more about our current opportunities by clicking the button below.