Chronic Illness Alliance - Peer Support Network

AQA Victoria

Name & Description of Peer Support Services Offered:

AQA's Peer Support Program is a support network specifically designed to encourage, inform and assist people with a physical disability, in particular those with a spinal cord injury. Peer Support is not a counselling service - it provides access to a network of people who are living with a spinal cord injury and facilitates the sharing of information with those who have experienced similar issues.

Who is Peer Support Available to?

Peer Support is available to those living with a spinal cord injury or other physical disability, as well as their family members, carers and friends. People with both recent and long-term disabilities are eligible.

When is Peer Support available?

Monday to Friday during business hours or after hours and on weekends if previously arranged.

During a person's stay in hospital (for many, initial contact is made with the team during their time as an inpatient).
On a weekly basis at the Victorian Spinal Cord Service at Austin Health, which includes the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre.
Any time during the rehabilitation process.
Any time after completing inpatient rehabilitation.
Via the telephone or e-mail. We encourage people to ring or e-mail if they have any queries or would like to talk through any issue.
Via pre-arranged community visits with Peer Support staff either at a person's home or at a convenient nearby location.
Many people value ongoing contact once they leave rehabilitation.

How Peer Support Benefits You

It may save you trying to “re-invent the wheel”. Issues that are frequently discussed are:

Tips on how to get dressed.
Returning to work.
Sexuality and relationships.
Driving and getting in and out of a car.
Accessible holiday accommodation.
Where to get wheelchairs, hoists, medical aids, etc.

Or a person may just want to:

Speak to someone who has faced similar issues and experiences.
Talk to someone about his / her anxieties and fears.
Be advised of relevant entitlements.

AQA Peer Support Team

AQA's Information & Peer Support Team is staffed by people who have a spinal cord injury and therefore have first-hand knowledge of living with a disability.

Every effort is made to provide accurate information as all staff are aware of how important this is to people with a disability.

Staff from the Peer Support Team include people from a variety of cultural, lifestyle and socioeconomic backgrounds who have a broad range of experiences when it comes to living with a disability.

AQA has a large membership throughout Victoria and Tasmania. This enables us to link people with similar interests and levels of injury, particularly important for people struggling with isolation in country regions. Sharing interests and issues is a vital part of any peer support network.

Life Skills

AQA, in partnership with the Victorian Spinal Cord Service, conducts one-day Life Skills sessions at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Unit in Kew. Peers share their knowledge and experiences and assist people with a new injury to build a positive view of their own future and potential.

Country Clinics

The Victorian Spinal Cord Service conducts Country Spinal Clinics at regional centres in Victoria and Tasmania. Our staff attend these clinics and regard them as another vital part of our peer support work.

Meeting Times & Venues:

See details above.

Contact Details for more information:

For further information contact Naz

AQA Peer Support Department
Phone: (03) 9489 0777
FreeCall: 1800 999 128 (Vic country & Tasmanian callers only)
Facsimile: (03) 9482 4371
Email: info@aqavic.org.au

Link to web page.

http://www.aqavic.org.au/peer_support_index.html