Chronic Illness Alliance - Peer Support Network

Vision Australia

Vision Australia
454 Glenferrie Road
Kooyong
Victoria

Name & Description of Peer Support Services Offered:

Peer Volunteer Support Program
Clients who want to take on a peer volunteer assignment undergo both volunteer induction and further peer training.

Peer volunteers support Vision Australia service provision

Peers volunteers support provision of client services including:

Low Vision clinics
Quality Living groups
Tele-link support groups
Self Help groups

Peer volunteers provide additional support to Vision Australia by :

Providing information and referrals to other VA services,
Supporting staff and volunteer induction and training
Supporting advocacy and advocacy training

Quality Living groups
Quality Living groups are client directed [self managed] groups which enable clients to discuss issues relating to their vision loss and aim to empower them to maintain independence and quality in their lives.

They provide a forum for people to talk about their experience of vision loss and the emotional impact it has on their lives. Through this process they can gain acceptance, understanding, confidence and independence.

Quality Living groups run for eight weeks, have approximately 10 participants and are led by a qualified facilitator either face to face or via tele-conference. They are an excellent way for clients across regional, remote and metropolitan areas of Australia to access emotional support services related to their vision loss and to meet other people in a similar situation.

Tele-link groups
Peer volunteers support clients by leading special interest client Tele-link groups

Self Help groups
Client support groups operate via face to face or teleconference to enable clients to provide ongoing support for each other

Mentoring and role model support

Peers undertake mentoring and role model support to individuals.This is available for individual or group needs e.g. education and employment, supporting individuals, family and friends as directed by VA staff

Meeting Times & Venues

Events are held throughout the year and dates are available on request.

Contact Details for more information:

For further information, or to become a member and receive regular Volunteer newsletters please contact a Coordinator of Volunteers at your nearest Vision Australia centre.

Telephone: 1300 84 74 66
info@visionaustralia.org

Link to web page

http://www.visionaustralia.org