Abstract
The provision of peer support for people with spinal cord impairment (SCI) was endorsed by the New Zealand Spinal Cord Injury Action Plan 2014-2019 (NZSCIAP) which recommended the implementation of a nationally consistent framework for providing sustainable peer support services. Specifically, the plan identified the need to (a) develop and embed a nationally consistent peer support programme within existing health and disability services, (b) build capacity to provide national peer support coverage, (c) provide training for a peer support programme, and (d) identify sustainable multi-year funding sources that support continuity of services.
Over the past three years, the Burwood Academy of Independent Living (BAIL) has worked with the NZ Spinal Trust (NZST) and Spinal Support NZ (SSNZ) to undertake a programme of research supporting the implementation of NZSCIAP objectives related to peer support provision. The key objective was to ‘develop a nationally consistent framework for providing sustainable peer support services’ with the following three outcomes:
• People with SCI, their family and whānau receive consistent and practical peer support services through a national peer support programme.
• Sustainable funding is available for SCI peer support agencies.
• Benefits of peer support for people with SCI, their families and whānau are
maximised through a targeted approach.
This research is one part of this overall work and has been conducted with the support of a Lotteries Grant, May 2019 – June 2020.