Peer Support for Families
(09) 378 9134
Email: admin@SFAuckland.org.nz
This service is provided for families and whanau that have a loved one whose life has been affected by mental health issues. Supporting Families Peer Support offers families/whanau hope and encouragement to deal with the many challenges they may encounter. A Peer Support Worker is someone who has a personal experience of this situation. They are interested in offering support, empathic listening and sharing.
Families and whanau often experience grief, isolation, powerlessness and fear as they witness their loved one sometimes struggling with mental health issues. People with mental health challenges do not become unwell in isolation. Their families, extended whanau and significant others cannot escape being affected by the situation.
Peer Support Training for Families
Do you feel that your experience with mental illness in your family has given you insights that allow you to empathize with others in a similar situation? Would you like to explore your own experience and connect with others through the sharing of your story?
We all need support in our lives and at particular times we may need more support than at other times. When someone in our family develops a mental illness it can be isolating and confusing and it is important that we have a number of people we can turn to. Support is having someone to talk to, share with, off load to, someone who "hears" us, understands and is there for us. It can an email, a chat on the phone or catching up over a coffee.
In light of this we are offering a family-to-family training course in the North Shore region. Through this training you will have an opportunity to look at your own experience and how it has impacted on your life, and to identify strengths and skills that will enable you to support others in your community.
The training will take place on Thursday Dec. 4th 2008. Details.
Volunteer Peer Support Programme
by Maree Luckman, Peer Support Volunteer
When a family member experiences mental illness we all benefit from someone who understands - really understands - taking time to reassure us, and give us hope.
From this need the support team at SF Auckland developed the concept of Volunteer Peer Support workers. People like us who have a family member with mental illness coming along and spending some time with us. For example, have a coffee, go for a walk together or just enjoy an hour or so, being able to share common interests and experiences. They wanted to be able to provide a service of easy, relaxed, warm support from someone who knows what we are experiencing, on an ongoing basis.
Late in 2006 a workshop was held on the North Shore. Tatiana, Jules and Iva invited interested families to a half-day session of learning about providing support to other families and at the same time we shared our stories in the supportive environment they created. This was essentially the first peer support volunteers meeting as we all learned from, and supported, each other.
Staff members from several different regions and agencies were also present to observe the proceedings. They were able to see the enthusiasm Jules had for the concept and the acceptance of the ideals by the families present.
Jules and Jade of SF have progressed the concept to a point where Volunteer Peer Support workers have been selected and the finer details of the service are being finalised. I am lucky enough to have been selected as a Volunteer Peer Support worker.
The aim of the programme is to match volunteers with a family that will benefit from occasional contact from a volunteer. As volunteers we are not counselling or offering solutions - we will offer an understanding ear. The Volunteer Peer Supporters are ready to meet the family members they will support. We will update you on progress after a few months of action.
To learn more please contact Jade or Jules on 378-9134.
Why Become A Peer Support Worker?
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You have experience that would be useful to share with others
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You feel ready to share your experience with others
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You have empathy for families/whanau in similar situations
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You have some spare time to give back to families/whanau
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You are a good listener.
Contact: Central office on (09) 378 9134
Email: admin@sfauckland.org.nz
Newsletter Volunteers
We are always looking for volunteers to help with the folding of our newsletter which is mailed every two months. This is usually done on a Friday. Tea, coffee and cake is provided and we look after our volunteers well. If you are interested in helping in this way please ring or email us.
Phone: Rich or Cathy (09) 378 9134
Email: admin@SFAuckland.org.nz
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