Peer Support

If you are at the Burwood Spinal Unit for the first time one of our Peer Support Coordinators will introduce themselves. Our team consists of Brett, Jazz, Josh and Meika, who all live with a spinal cord impairment, or Andrew our National Programmes Manager who has lived with an SCI for over 30 years.

This team is beyond incredible and you will see them on the ward most days.

During your time at Burwood your Peer Support Coordinator will see how you are on a regular basis. They may invite you to events, outings, gatherings, meals, and for one to one coffee catch ups. They will also introduce you to our private Connecting People Facebook Group where over 1,000 members share SCI related information and are available to answer any questions you may have.

As the Coordinator gets to know you, they will introduce you to people and resources that will help you find your bright new future.

Our core objectives

– Providing critical emotional support

– Providing local and national information and resources to people living with SCI, and their families and caregivers throughout NZ irrelevant of their location

– Providing a nationally consistent service

– Providing all clients with relevant and appropriate positive peer support

– Presenting opportunities for natural connections to be made through social interactions to promote well-being and to encourage community engagement

– Creating and maintain a database of positive and productive people who are open to share their experience for the benefit of others

– Providing a community of information that is both relevant and current that encourages good decisions and promotes self-responsibility

– Encouraging holistic awareness for all those who are touched by the SCI experience.

– Offering hope at a time when life can be particularly challenging by connecting with others who have been there and are living happy, positive and productive lives.

Some of the key benefits of our service:

– Sharing of relevant practical experience promoting good health and well-being

– Friendships both local and national via social outings and online networks

– Growth in confidence and understanding

– Improving the experience of recovery and acceptance

– A sense of community and fellowship

– Providing empathy, acceptance, and hope

– Empowering clients and sharing knowledge and experience to encourage informed choice

– Believing that all life has value and is full of potential no matter what your level of disability. With the right attitude, positive & constructive support, almost anything is possible

– Sharing with others who understand the journey through lived experience really helps to make life less challenging

– Reducing the length of time, it takes to return to a state of relative well-being

– Promoting development of personal strengths.