ice blocks on the waterfront with mike, Lech, Sophia and Flick

Community Peer & Whānau Support

A spinal cord impairment (SCI) can mean a massive change in life for you and your whānau. That change may have happened recently, or it might have been years ago. We know from experience that a simple korero with someone who has been there and knows what it’s like can make a huge difference.

Returning to your community after an SCI and away from the supportive hospital environment, can be daunting and sometimes it can be good to talk with someone who truly understands.

For those who may be many years into living with their SCI, it can be beneficial speaking with others who understand the journey. New ideas and another set of eyes can provide a real boost for you and your whānau.

Our Peer & Whānau Supporters have their own lived experience. They are available throughout the motu/country and are here to listen, share and tautoko/support you and your whānau no matter what stage of your journey you’re at.

How we do it

-Share emotional and social support and encourage problem solving strategies

-We listen and meet up to talk

-Provide contacts and connections as you return to your home region

-Phone calls & TXTS

-Video chats, both 1 on 1 and group calls

-Coordination with other spinal cord impaired people or their whānau who volunteer to share skills and knowledge

-Groups social gatherings

We Promote

Mana Motuhake – Autonomy and choices

-Empower you and your whānau to ask questions

-Take control of your rehabilitation

-Become your own best advocate

Puawaitanga – Thriving and Flourishing

-Knowledge is power

-People help themselves through self-responsibility and self-efficacy

Focusing on the future is powerful

No two journeys with a spinal cord impairment are the same and that’s why tailored information and support from people who really get it, makes all the difference.

Our goal is tautoku/support each person and their whānau as they return to their communities, to embrace a positive future, including connection with whānau and friends, having career opportunities, enjoying recreation and being able to pursue their passions.

Let us help support a positive future for you and your whānau

We support positive futures for individuals and their whānau living with the effects of spinal cord impairment. Our services are free of charge and all you need to do is reach out to us and have a chat.

We have Community Peer & Whānau Support workers all regions of New Zealand.

For more information contact either Brett, Meika, Georgia or Ona.