Peer Support Circles

Our Peer Support Circles have helped hundreds of women so far, and you could be next.

Apply now to be part of our 2026 cohort and join our leading Peer Support Circles programme. Applications close Friday 4th September.

Our Peer Support Circles are the perfect way to connect with other women as you explore your pathway into politics together.

Structured as a 7-session journey, you’ll join peers from across the political spectrum and create a safe space to support one another and encourage your ambitions.

Applications are currently open for our 13th Cohort! Sessions will be every Thursday 7:30-9pm from 1st October - 19th November (with a half term break on 29th October). Learn more and apply below.

“I have loved meeting my peer group, women who are like-minded and inspirational in their own right. I have learnt a lot about myself and my place in politics.”
— Nadia, Circles Cohort 6

Using the power of coaching, reflection and peer connection, over 7 weekly sessions, you will explore:

Your political goals

1

Your aspirations broken down into clear, purposeful and achievable tasks.

Your story

2

Succinctly communicate who you are and what you’d like to achieve.

How to build your team

3

Identify what you need support with and who could help you achieve it.

Your public presence

4

Learn how to increase your visibility, how to stay safe online, alongside valuable marketing skills, tools and shared experience.

Building your influence

5

Develop your communication skills and learn how to handle conflict like a pro!

“This was a proper lighting bulb ‘well now it’s obvious’ moment for me. I’m speaking up in meetings and in public now, far more frequently and without that swirling stomach feeling that was rooted in insecurity, doubt and fear.”
— Meg, Circles Cohort 11

Exploring topics such as goal setting, storytelling, team building and influence, the Circles are a deliberate and intentional space for your individual personal and political growth, with peer support to encourage you further.

By the end of our last cohort…

51% of women said they could confidently say why they wanted to be in politics, with the remaining 49% saying they could 'quite well'.

94% felt they had the resilience to operate in the political world.

81% knew they weren't alone and had others with them on the journey, and were positively connected to women with different political views.

100% said they would encourage another woman to apply for the next cohort.

Words of encouragement from the generation before you

  • “Definitely do it! It's such a wonderful space to explore the nerve racking idea of running for a position.”

    Amy

  • “If you seriously want to go into politics, join. If you are testing the waters, completing this course will help you come to a definitive conclusion.”

    Leandra

  • “I would thoroughly recommend. It's enjoyable, well paced, timed well for attendance and it will allow you to connect with other women who will help, support and lift you and each other. Nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Well worth the time invested.”

    Sara

  • "Sign up as you've got a lot to gain and nothing to lose, and you'll get out of it what you put in."

    Su

  • "Best thing I've done for myself and my journey!"

    Erika

  • "It is hugely beneficial, no matter where you are on your political journey."

    Ann

  • "Go for it, it is a life changing experience."

    Lilian

To participate in the Peer Support Circles, you will want to be:

MOTIVATED

You are seriously considering running for political office and want to explore this further. It could be that you know you want to run at the next available opportunity, or right now may not be the time, but you know you want to prepare for it.

COMMITTED

You are ready to do the work, carving out time every week in the programme to ensure you get the most out of what we can offer you, committing to each weekly session as well as completing lovework (our version of homework!) in your own time.

OPEN

You are willing to try new things, build new connections, to understand and discuss the views of others, to receive feedback and share your experiences with others.

RESPECTFUL

Our work is cross-party and inclusive, and we believe that bringing women together across political perspectives is a powerful benefit to supporting women into politics. Circles will be open to women of all political parties, and none.

Apply for our 13th cohort.

Fill in this application form to join the Peer Support Circles this autumn. Applications close Friday 4th September.

If you have any issues with the embedded form, you can also access the application directly by clicking the button below:

Apply now

FAQs

  • This year’s cohort sessions will take place on the following dates:

    Thursday 1st October, 7:30-9pm

    Thursday 8th October, 7:30-9pm

    Thursday 15th October, 7:30-9pm

    Thursday 22nd October, 7:30-9pm

    Thursday 5th November, 7:30-9pm

    Thursday 12th November, 7:30-9pm

    Thursday 19th November, 7:30-9pm

    To join the Circles, you will need to be able to attend at least 5 sessions. They will all be delivered online on Zoom.

  • The circles are a fully inclusive space welcoming ALL women. This programme is open to women from all parties and none. We recommend women who are Ready to Get Involved to use the Circles as an opportunity to delve further into the next steps of their political journey. For example, if you’ve already completed our My Political Future course and are considering putting yourself forward as a candidate in the next few years, then the Circles are perfect for you.

  • An important aspect of being in elected office is learning to work alongside others whose opinions may differ from your own, and as a result the Circles are intended to bring women together across the political spectrum to find common experiences and we therefore curate groups to have a representation of a range of political perspectives. We are however highly aware that some women from under-represented communities may seek sisterhood and strength from connecting with women with similar intersecting identities. If this is you, and you would particularly like to be put in a circle with other women of a specific intersection, then there is space to articulate that in the registration.

  • Yes! They are free. We will offer an option to donate to Elect Her at the end of the sessions.

  • “To hold your hand up and say ‘I would like to stand’ felt like a huge step forward and also quite a large step into the dark. Taking part in Peer Circles turned on the light and helped me to clearly see the types of self development that I would need to undertake on the journey to pursuing candidacy.”

    Adele, Circles Cohort 5

  • "Wow - what an amazing experience! So much enthusiasm, purpose, and experience. There's been wisdom, laughter and solidarity in spades. I have sincerely loved every minute of the course and woken up energised and determined because of the peer support sessions."

    Erika, Circles Cohort 12

  • "The cross party teamwork is one of my highlights here in the peer support circles. Though we belong to different political parties, we put that aside & focus on why we want to be in politics. It’s been amazing to work with women who share similar values & wants to be an agent of change for the better, healthier community, promoting equality, diversity & inclusion for all."

    Lola, Circles Cohort 7

  • "It was wonderful… I loved every woman in my group, everyone had way of expressing that was special, and their own authentic self, I loved my group so much."

    Nastaran, Circles Cohort 12