Welcome to Peer Support at Dementia Australia.
Peer support at Dementia Australia is when people living with dementia or caring for someone living with dementia provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other. It is one of the most powerful and empowering forms of support available - to be heard and understood by someone in similar circumstances.
Dementia Australia's peer support program Connecting Peers:
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Would you like to volunteer as a Peer Leader?
Peer Leaders volunteer their time to provide empathy and support from their own lived experience as someone who is living with dementia, or caring for someone living with dementia.
There are many reasons why someone might become a Peer Leader: to help others on a similar path, to give back to the community or to honour a loved one.
Click for video: Dominique: I'm doing this in honour of my dad
Click for video: Ann: 'I get more than I give'
Completion of a short online induction course is required, plus an Australian Criminal History Check, funded by Dementia Australia. Once you submit your application, you will receive an automatic email with links to the online training. A member of the Peer Support team will be in touch soon after to talk about next steps.
Click the Fill in an application button in the top right hand corner of this page to get started.
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Would you like to talk to someone who 'gets it'?
If you are living with dementia or caring for someone living with dementia you can receive support from a volunteer Peer Leader.
"...my experience of the Peer Program has been the best thing I’ve found since my diagnosis.’ Gail, Gippsland
You will be connected with someone in similar circumstances who can share aspects of their journey that may be helpful. A person living with dementia is matched to another person living with dementia; a carer is matched to a carer. Whether it's a single call or several, there's nothing like talking to someone 'who gets it'.
“It’s the best thing I’ve had this whole journey,” says Debbie, who cares for her husband.
Debbie says the support she receives from her Peer Leader is more valuable than a paid professional; the connection is more natural, yet tailored. She has picked up practical tips and learned how to prepare for the future.
Click Here to register if you would like to receive support from a volunteer Peer Leader. A member of the peer Support team will then contact you to talk about next steps.
Questions? Email us at peer.support@dementia.org.au
