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You are here: Home1 / New to SCI2 / Peer and Whānau Support3 / Peer Support

Peer Support

We’re here for you…

PWS Team

Here’s how it works …

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.

“They never once made me feel like what I was saying was’t valid.  They always had time to help me, they understood what I was going through and they would follow up of their own accord – you just don’t get that anywhere else.”

Click here to Connect with the Peer & Whānau Support Team now

Andrew Hall

Contact Andrew

Andrew Hall, National Programme Manager

andrew.hall@nzspinaltrust.org.nz

Brett Ladbrook

Contact Brett

Brett Ladbrook, Senior Support Coordinator

brett.ladbrook@nzspinaltrust.org.nz

Meika Reid

Contact Meika

Meika Reid, Peer Support Coordinator

meika.reid@nzspinaltrust.org.nz

Jazz Calder

Contact Jazz

Jazz Calder, Community Peer Support

jazz.calder@nzspinaltrust.org.nz

Michelle Carney

Contact Michele

Michele Carney, Inpatient Peer Support

michele.carney@nzspinaltrust.org.nz

Contact Hamish

Hamish Ramsden, Inpatient Peer Support

hamish.ramsden@nzspinaltrust.org.nz

Peer Support

Find out more about how we can help

Peer Support

Whānau Support

Find out we can help you

Whānau Support

PEER & WHĀNAU SUPPORT

Our Peer and Whānau Support have people all over New Zealand available to share their experience and to listen to what’s happening for you.

Connect to Peer & Whānau Support now

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New Zealand Spinal Trust 2022 | Charities Commission No. CC43195

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