Peer Leaders Online Training (PLOT) is a free course from the Chronic Illness Alliance, designed as a step by step guide to setting up and running a peer support group. It can also be used to build the capacity of an existing group, or to train a new peer leader to take over. 

The training is structured around core units and optional electives. The core units cover areas such as leadership and facilitation skills, navigating through difficult times, governance and financial matters, planning, and promoting your group. The electives currently on offer provide in-depth discussion guides and group activities to enable peer leaders to facilitate sessions on two important topics for peer support groups: illness and intimacy, and health literacy.

In addition to providing information and recommendations within each Unit, the course includes a range of activities, resources and templates that are designed to help you convert concepts into skills, and put theory into practice. Most of the materials are contained within the course, and there are also links to external resources online and in the community.