MSSANT Network Autumn 15 WEB

Peer Support
Evidence clearly shows the benefits of peer support programs.
Our Clients and people living with MS have found them to be
friendly, supportive, informative and practical.
What is a Peer Support Group?
A peer support group is a gathering of people with MS.
The purpose of the group is to provide support to
each other and to share information by:
• learning more about MS;
• sharing feelings and experiences;
• obtaining accurate information;
• providing an opportunity to talk through
problems or choices being faced;
• listening to others who share similar
feelings and experiences;
• helping others through the sharing of ideas
and information; and
• knowing they are not alone.
New & reinvigorated peer support groups
There are again a number of new groups we hope will
start meeting this year, they all welcome new members
to join them.
Under 35s – the group met for the first time on
Sunday, 22 March at the Golden Grove Tavern.
Family and friends are welcome.
Contact Mary-Anne on (08) 7002 6500 for details of the
next event.
Western suburbs – the group met for the first time
on Tuesday, 24 March at Lockleys Hotel.
Family and friends are welcome.
Contact Mary-Anne on (08) 7002 6500 for details on the
next event.
Parents with kids – a chance for parents with MS
to chatwhile their children play. The group has met
at various indoor & outdoor play areas.
Contact Mary-Anne (08) 7002 6500 for details of the next
event, or if you can help in organising events for this group.
We are also seeking interest in:
• support groups in Whyalla, Clare & Alice Springs;
• starting an Overcoming MS group in the southern suburbs
of Adelaide; and
• support groups for family and friends of those with MS.
NB: there is now an on-line group called MySociety -
Family and Friends.
Please contact Mary-Anne Edge on (08) 7002 6500
or at medge@ms.asn.au if you would like to join one
of these groups.
Facebook support group – My Society –
Family and Friends
We have recently set up a Facebook group for family, friends
and carers of people living with MS. This is a private place
to chat, share information and connect with others who are
supporting someone with MS. It has been created, and is
administered by the MS Society of SA & NT. As it is set up
as a private group, only people in the group will be able to
read posts.
This group is for family, friends and carers of people with MS
in SA & NT only, not for people living with MS.
facebook.com/groups/1388437131394906/
Facebook online support
There is an online Facebook group for people living with
MS in SA & NT. Information is provided by the MS Society
Peer Mentor and conversations are monitored by the Peer
Support Coordinator.
This is a closed forum, only accessible to members from
South Australia and the Northern Territory, go to
facebook.com/groups/MySocietySANT/
to find the group and request to be a member.
16
Autumn 2015 The MS Society of South Australia & Northern Territory