Peer Support > The Program

What is Peer Support?

Losing a limb and becoming an amputee leads to a range of physical and lifestyle changes and challenges for the amputee and their loved ones. Although the reasons for limb loss may vary, this experience does not have to mean the end, but a new beginning and a new way of living.

In Australia people suffer limb loss every day, the most common reason being as a result of diabetes. Other reasons for limb loss include cancer, trauma accidents, infections, vascular disease and congenital differences. Limb loss does not discriminate and people of all cultures, gender, ages and differing socio economic status can be affected. Upon becoming an amputee, or when faced with the prospect of limb loss, it can be very helpful and reassuring to discuss your concerns or fears.

Receiving support from family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues can greatly assist you in coming to terms with your limb loss. Speaking to another amputee can make a difference to your outlook and ease concerns placed on you and your loved ones. At Limbs 4 Life we call this type of assistance Peer Support.

Speaking with an amputee peer can play an important part in your preparation, recovery and rehabilitation. In fact speaking to someone who personally understands what it means to lose a limb can often be a great relief and allow you to ask questions and discuss issues that only someone who has been through it can answer. In the early stages of your recovery may be a time of great uncertainty, doubts and many questions. As a result many amputees feel more comfortable discussing personal issues with someone who understands what they are going through, someone who has hard earned experience and can appreciate just how you feel. In light of this, Limbs 4 Life developed a Peer Support Program, a program that matches trained Peer Support Volunteers with new amputees requesting support.

The Peer Support Program allows amputees to connect with volunteers who are willing to share their time, knowledge and experience to assist others during their transition. Many amputees have told us that receiving a visit from a Peer Support Volunteer was a rewarding experience; and one that gave them the chance to speak openly about how they were feeling, address some of the issues and concerns that they had, and alleviate some of the distress they were feeling. Our Peer Support Volunteers are not experts, like you they are amputees, but they have lived with limb loss for a number of years and have successfully regained their independence.

Our Peer Support Volunteers are keen to support others and become a role model and mentor to new amputees just starting out on the journey to recovery.

“I joined Limbs 4 Life because no one should be feeling alone in this experience. Support from other amputees is essential.”
(Peer Support Volunteer, 48 years)

“I think the peer support program is a great idea and I support it wholeheartedly.”
(Clinical Psychologist, Box Hill)

“I became a Peer Support Volunteer because I would like to help younger people cope. It’s important for them to meet others who can empathise with their feelings, and offer them support.”
(Peer Support Volunteer, 27 years)

Limbs 4 Life Peer Support Program

This program matches amputees in hospitals and rehabilitation centres to trained Peer Support Volunteers.

Peer Support Volunteers are individuals who have lived with limb loss and willingly give of their time to support others in the early stages of recovery. Our Peer Support Volunteers are assessed for suitability, undergo a police check and then take part in a training program to prepare them for their work as a peer mentor. Peer Support Volunteers visit patients in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, providing the support that only someone who has also gone through limb loss can. Peer Support Volunteers can also assist family members or care givers who want to better understand how they can help a loved one who has experienced (or is about to experience) an amputation.

Peer Support Volunteer Training

Limbs 4 Life is committed to ensuring that you receive the support you deserve. As such, all of our volunteers go through a screening process which involves potential volunteers submitting an application, undergoing an interview and consenting to a Police Check. Once a potential volunteer has gone through the screening process they are then required to participate in our Volunteer Training Program.

Our training program prepares individuals for their role as a Peer Support Volunteer, outlining their responsibilities and obligations (such as protecting your confidentiality). Once the training is complete and our staff members are confident they are capable of taking on this role, these committed individuals become part of our Peer Support Volunteer team.

Matching Amputees to Peer Support Volunteers

At Limbs 4 Life we do our best to closely match new amputees (and/or their families) with Peer Support Volunteers, believing that the closer the match the more successful the mentor relationship. Where possible we try and match amputees to Peer Support Volunteers according to the following matching criteria:

• Age
• Gender
• Reason for amputation
• Site of amputation
• Personal interests

What to Expect

All visits are very different, and the nature of the visit and type of issues discussed will very much depend on the individual support needs of each amputee. All of our Peer Support Volunteers are trained to listen and support, and they do not follow a set format or pre-determined list of questions. This helps to ensure that the amputee leads the direction of the visit and guides the Peer Support Volunteer to meet their needs. Sometimes an amputee will only request one visit, but for others a series of visits may be useful.

More Information

If you would like to learn more about the Peer Support Program please email or contact Limbs 4 Life by phone on 1300 782 231