They arrived at the suggestion of local policemen who hoped it would be a way to help Mr Corney, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 28, re-engage with his community and sporting interest.

Mr Corney has spent the past 18 months co-designing a peer-support program to help others with mental illness reconnect to the community. Without those cricketers knocking on his door - and many were still great mates - Mr Corney was unsure he would have got back involved in a cricket club, something he had enjoyed before his illness took hold.

"It was beneficial to me on my darkest days...Without it probably would have prolonged me being unwell," Mr Corney said.

"Just because someone might be on medication and feeling well, but sitting home alone, does not mean they are okay.

Connecting2community is a short, individualised program to be delivered by peer workers of lived experience via Ballarat Community Health and Grampians Community Health. The program was designed with support from Department of Health and Human Services and social innovation advocate TACSI.

A core group of four peer workers, including Mr Corney, will oversee the Goldfields region from Ballarat to Maryborough with another based in the Grampians and Wimmera.

Peers will help participants identify a goal to work towards in the community, like rejoining a cricket club, and help break initial barriers. Mr Corney said research for the program made clear people with mental health wanted in a program, besides managing their symptoms, was reducing loneliness and social isolation.

But he said it was often hard to make those first steps on your own.

"To actually have someone break the ice for me and get me through the door was huge for helping me feel part of the community," Mr Corney said. "For Avoca Cricket Club and my mates from back then, they can't believe the journey I've taken since then.

"I hope to be a role model for what recovery can look like."

Mr Corney said it was also a big step for fellow peer workers Lucy, Shannan and Sara who were sharing their stories for the first time in a lived experienced programs and ready to help make changes to someone's life.

Connecting2community is open for referrals for residents aged 18-65. Anyone can make a referral, including family. They want to make clear there are no "silly questions" for anyone interested in the program.

For more details, contact Ballarat Community Health on 5338 4500.

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