Peer Support Capacity Building Project

Peer support provides people (and their families):

• With the opportunity to speak to someone who has lived experience of limb loss;
• Helps to navigate the pathways forward in relation to healthcare systems and funding support;
• With direction and knowing what to expect; and
• To reduce fears and concerns relating to living with amputation.

Importantly, peer support provides new amputees and their family members with access to a person who has the very real experience of understanding how you may be feeling. We know this because, not only do we have the privilege of listening to the feedback of peer support recipients, but because we invested significantly in independent research to determine the impact that the Limbs 4 Life Peer Support Program has on the Australian amputee community.

The Peer Support Capacity Building (PSCB) grant will provide two years of financial support. That support will give Limbs 4 Life the ability to:

•  Deliver peer support training nationally, in all states and territories.
• Increase the number of peer support volunteers, meaning that Limbs 4 Life can be more responsive to the needs of our ever-growing community. (It is conservatively estimated that amputation rates increase by 2.7% per year).
• Establish more local area support groups which serve as wonderful pathways for community engagement and peer support, especially for those who missed the opportunity in hospital or rehabilitation, or were not ready to receive support at the time
• Create new resources in response to information gaps 
• Deliver national empowerment workshops with a focus on self-advocacy, understanding human rights and enacting on those rights, along with the provision of insights into consumer law. It’s important that every one of us feels equipped to confidently voice concerns if they arise.

• Finally, like always the outcomes of the program will be evaluated to ensure that community needs are being met. 

  The PSCB project has also enabled Limbs 4 Life to employ more people to assist us with the program roll-out. Andrew Fairbairn has rejoined us following a short break to continue his role as Peer Coordinator for WA, Kylie Franson has taken on the role of Peer Coordinator for SA/NT, Kath Tanner has come on board as Peer Coordinator for Tasmania and Jacquetta Rogers has been promoted to National Peer Coordinator | Partners and Carers.
   

Peer support volunteer training dates for 2025

• Sydney, September 27, Brighton-Le-Sands
• Canberra, October 18, Canberra

Please note, RSVP’s are essential!

If you would like to consider volunteering as an amputee peer with Limbs 4 Life, please contact us today to find out more.