Peer support is when people use their own experiences to help each other.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have lived with glaucoma for years, talking to others who are living with glaucoma is a great way to share your experiences. It gives you support from people who really understand how you are feeling. Under normal circumstances, these conversations would usually take place in hospital waiting rooms or at a patient event. However, the COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing means that such opportunities aren’t currently possible.
Because of this, we’re in the process of piloting a digital peer-to-peer support group, where you can meet a small number of people online or by phone to have a chat, share your experience and ask questions.
Generally, the goals of peer support are to:
In peer support everyone’s views and experiences are valued equally. No one in the group is seen as more of an expert than others. A representative from Glaucoma UK will be at the meeting but only in a supporting capacity, to make sure things run smoothly.
Our groups will have roughly five people taking part so there will be plenty of time for everyone to share their views and ask questions. The pilot groups will likely involve three, hour-long meetings held over several weeks.
Peer support meetings can be a great way of finding out information about glaucoma. Groups can also help you build confidence and make you feel more in control of your glaucoma diagnosis. You’ll also meet new people and make connections with those who really understand how you’re feeling.
Applications for the pilot scheme are now closed. We’ll post any future updates on this page.
For more information, please contact f.ives@glaucoma.uk.
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