Brain Injury SA R23011: Commenced 2/10/ 2023

The value of someone with similar lived experience of brain trauma assisting another understand and adjust to the impact of brain injury has been evidenced and has been termed Peer Mentoring or Peer Support.

In 2022 LSA provided grant funding to Brain Injury SA for one year to develop such a program, building on both its experience of involving Peer Mentors in the Reconnect Transition Program and also the health funded inpatient program that ceases on hospital discharge of people incurring brain injury.

This initiative recognised the potential value of a program to both the giver and receiver of the support, aiding the transition of the person with a brain injury receiving the support. whilst providing a purposeful pathway of employment for people with brain injury wishing to share and support others with their experience.

During its first eight months of operation the program has utilised the funding provided to develop structure and resources for safe program delivery, developed a strong initial team of people with lived experience to provide support and is on track for successful delivery of 20 support matches for people in transition following brain injury and completion of a 3-month program of support with supervision in its first full year of operation. This has included detailed evaluation of the supporters and recipients, demonstrating that the program is both viable and important in a variety of ways to aid pathways to live life with quality after brain injury.

This application is seeking to build on this initial success through the provision of three years of funding to grow access to the program for both the givers and recipients of support, whilst maintaining its vigorous evaluation data collection to inform this and future programs of this type in their development and their effective utilisation.

Brain Injury SA R23017: Commenced 2/10/ 2023

To continue to deliver a co-facilitated Be Well plan to families, carers and supporters of people with ABI. In addition, we would like to further investigate the needs of families, carers and supporters in the community stage of their rehabilitation / transition to life journey to understand what support they need to sustain their caring role, when this support is best delivered and how it is best delivered. This will include a peer led component and will involve consultation with a wide range of carers, working in partnership with carers SA with the aim of improving carer support services on offer.

The Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of South Australia Ltd (PQSA) R2215: Commenced 1/7/2022

The Peer Support Advocacy Service provides support, advice, education, information and advocacy for participants and their families and friends who have recently acquired a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). PQSA's Peer Support Advocates live with SCI, so they bring an understanding of the issues confronting people during and after rehabilitation. They provide people with the opportunity to talk to someone who appreciates the challenges faced as a person with SCI and/or associated disability.

The Peer Support Advocacy program is now based in the Spinal Cord Injury Unit of The Repat, Daw Park.

The Peer Support Advocates are based at The Repat Spinal Injury Unit of South Australia and at the PQSA office in Dulwich. The program aims to support and facilitate clients, families, and friends with an easier transition back to their home and community through:

  • Support, advice, and advocacy on a wide range of issues, resources and services associated with SCI.
  • A flexible service designed to meet specific needs, involved as much or as little as desired.
  • Representation to ensure that clients have access to the best medical and non-medical services.
  • Introduction and referral to a range of professional and community service providers that may assist the person with their ongoing rehabilitation.

Visit PQSA Website

The Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of South Australia Ltd (PQSA) R2220: Commenced 1/7/2019

The Push Thru program, as it is commonly referred to, was established to create, develop and coordinate a program of volunteer Peer Network Facilitators in the South Australian regional areas of the Southeast, Eyre Peninsula, Iron Triangle, Yorke Peninsula/Clare Valley, Riverland/Murray Mallee. The particular focus of the volunteer Peer Network Facilitators is to build self-efficacy and resilience for people with Spinal Cord Injury through a peer lead support model.

The program aims to support and facilitate easier transition back into the community for people with newly acquired SCI and/or associated disabilities, as well as for people who have undertaken rehabilitation or illness back into community living. It is also envisaged that a further benefit will be the support of clients outside of the medical and allied health arenas, providing invaluable social, practical knowledge and problem solving supports through the Peer Network Facilitators’ own lived experience.

Brain Injury SA R2204: Commenced 1/7/2018

The Reconnect Transition Program (RTP) is a peer-support and educational program that has the broad aim of helping people make a healthy adjustment to living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in a road trauma.

Across all the components of the RTP, the program delivers on its aim by providing supportive group environments where people can:

  • Explore and share their experiences with others with lived experience of TBI
  • Gain further knowledge around the brain and neuroplasticity
  • Make new connections and rebuild social skills
  • Work through their TBI-related challenges
  • Build strategies for improved resilience and wellbeing
  • Increase their participation in the community through meaningful engagement in chosen activities
  • Find direction and strengthen their sense of purpose in life

The Reconnect Transition Program (RTP) comprises:

  • Two 10-week programs for people aged over 30
  • Two 10-week youth RTPs (yRTPs) for young adults aged 18–30
  • Regional RTP programs consisting of one regional visit to Mt Gambier for a 3 hour in-person workshop plus an ongoing online forum, and monthly online sessions.
  • Monthly 2 hour Brain Injury Support and Education (BISE) Group sessions

Mentors with lived experience of brain injury are integral to the RTP. Their role is to enhance the experience and outcomes of participants. Their insights, understanding and personal stories are of immense value to the participants who are often searching for guidance from people who have faced similar challenges themselves. The mentors also benefit from the meaning and sense of purpose that comes from the role.

Page last updated: 4 October 2023