MS Plus Peer Support Groups

Peer support is the act of connecting with others who are in a similar situation. By drawing on your own experience, you can share stories and feelings with people who ‘just get it’, providing each other with friendship and understanding.

Studies have found that peer support increases life expectancy, improves self-efficacy and self-care skills and reduces use of emergency services. Providers of peer support also report less depression, heightened self-esteem, and improved quality of life.

Our trained peer support volunteers are people with experience of living with multiple sclerosis or caring for someone who is.

We have peer support groups that meet regularly in the ACT, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria – usually fortnightly or monthly.

Each group is self-directed. Some groups get together for a casual coffee, some have discussions on specific topics and others engage in activities like singing and exercise – there is something for everybody!

You can find a peer support group in your area by downloading the state listings below:

If you can’t find a group in your area, get in touch with us and we can discuss other options.

No matter where you live, you can connect with a peer support volunteer one-on-one over the phone. You can choose to speak with someone who is living with multiple sclerosis or a fellow loved one of someone who is.

You will have a set number of calls over a period – usually 6 to 8 calls over a few months.

For more information and to get started get in touch with our MS Plus team.

If you’d prefer to connect virtually, you can join a telegroup. Peer Groups generally have a particular focus or topic of interest.

Current telegroups:

• Under 30s after hours — 1st Thursday night of every month, 6:30–7:30pm
• Men’s support group — 1st Thursday of the month, 1:30pm–2:30 pm or last Tuesday of the month, 12pm–1pm or 1st Friday of the month, 12:30pm–1:30pm
• Women’s health telegroup — 4th Wednesday of the month, 7pm–8pm
• Women in the 40 to 64 age group — 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1:30pm–2:30pm
• Over 65’s group — 1st Tuesday of the month or 2nd Tuesday of the month, 10:30am—11:30am
• After hours group for working people — 2nd Wednesday night of the month, 7pm–8pm
• General support groups — 2nd Monday of the month or 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm–8pm
• Mums with MS support group — 2nd Tuesday of the month, 1pm–2pm
• Trigeminal Neuralgia group — 2nd Thursday of every month, 2pm–3pm
• Queer and Gender Diverse group — last Thursday of every month, 7pm–8pm
• Over 65s telegroup — last Tuesday of the month, 10:30am–11:30am
• Taking control telegroup — 1st Wednesday of the month, 12pm–1pm
• Working and living with MS — 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7pm–8pm

For more information on our telegroups contact our Plus Connect team.

Peer Links take place via phone and are short-term programs facilitated by our peer support coordinators. Taking place over 6 weekly 90-minute sessions, guest speakers share information on topics to prompt discussion and learning for the group.

If you’re new to peer support, have an interest in a particular topic or can’t commit to an ongoing group, Peer Links are a great option. We send out the details of each Peer Link to our registered clients by email. If you’re not sure if you’re registered or want to find out about any upcoming Peer Links that would suit you have a chat with our team.

We’re always seeking new people from the MS community to take on the role of peer support volunteers. You can be a group facilitator, provide one-on-one phone support or moderate our Facebook groups. To be a volunteer, you need to:

• have been living with multiple sclerosis for more than 2 years
• have a positive approach to living with multiple sclerosis
• be a positive ambassador for MS Plus.

If you’re interested, we’ll interview you and you will be subject to a police check. We’ll then provide you with full training and support. To find out more give our team a call on 1800 042 138 or email [email protected].