Running through the heart of Breakthrough is peer support – the idea that people with lived experience are the best people to support each other.
We highly value peer involvement groups here at Breakthrough, places where disabled people can get to know each other, share information and support, and relax with other like minded people.
Members share experiences and information they think would be useful to other disabled people – such as what’s going on, where to get advice and how they have dealt with specific barriers. They are also a great way to develop confidence and assertiveness. People have made lasting friendships through their membership of Breakthrough peer groups.
You can join by completing the form at this link: https://bit.ly/BUKselfreferralform
Or by telephone: 0161 234 3950, textphone: 0793 994 3383, or email to referrals@breakthrough-uk.co.uk
The Disabled Women’s Peer Group is a peer group of disabled women who meet for an hour every Monday afternoon at 2pm via Zoom and once a month in Manchester on the first Monday of the month. Members also have a WhatsApp group which they are using as a positive space to support each other. This group has been running since early 2019, currently funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and is controlled by members, with some support from Breakthrough. Members organise their own activities in between meetings.
- discussion of topics set by the group
- sharing experiences and thoughts on topics around disabled women
- mutual emotional support of members
- safe space to discuss fears/concerns or barriers you face as a disabled woman and how you would go about removing them
For Breakthrough Clients – past and present
- Give feedback on your experience of Breakthrough
- Give ideas for future projects and help design them
- Tell us about your big issues as a disabled person
- Help Breakthrough involve disabled people with different life experiences
- Grow your skills in leading, designing projects, team work and speaking up
- Get to know other people and have fun!
The Client Involvement Forum meets on Zoom on Thursdays from 3pm to 4pm. Face to face meetings are once a month in Manchester.
If you are a current or former Breakthrough client and want to take part, please get in touch with us on 0161 234 3950, text 07939 943 383 or email referrals@breakthrough-uk.co.uk
You can read more about the group by downloading our leaflet using the following links:
Breakthrough is working to reduce and remove barriers to information on the new condition of Long Covid for the disabled people of Manchester and Trafford. Peer support can benefit people when managing any condition. Existing peer support groups around Long Covid are taking place. Breakthrough can provide support to access these.
Would you or someone you know, like support to join existing Long Covid Peer Support Groups from Breakthrough?
If so, contact us for a chat with our Long Covid Peer Support Co-ordinator at Breakthrough by telephone: 0161 234 3950, textphone: 0793 994 3383, or email to referrals@breakthrough-uk.co.uk
You can also complete the form through the following link: https://bit.ly/BUKselfreferralform
Breakthrough wants to listen to what great peer support around Long Covid would look like for disabled people.
Would you or someone you know, like to contribute to what would work best for Long Covid Peer Support?
Get in touch with our Long Covid Peer Support Co-ordinator by telephone: 0161 234 3950, textphone: 0793 994 3383, or email to referrals@breakthrough-uk.co.uk to find out more and how you can contribute.