A peer support group is where people get together as equals to provide support to each other because of similar experiences or circumstances in their life. Joining a Peer Support Group is a great way to build connections with other people with disability, share information, and advocate for the things that are important to you. Peer Connect is a national website with information about peer support. PWdWA has supported a number of peer groups to start and also worked with ConnectGroups to develop some resources about how to set up a peer group and how to keep one going, which you can find in the resources section at the bottom of this page.
People With disability WA's Peer Support Groups
Peer Support and Advocacy for Amputees in WA
Group for amputees and people living with a limb difference
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/458989420948005/
Contact Andrew Fairbairn
Phone: 0466 526 605
Email: [email protected]
Blind Citizens WA
Group for people who are blind/vision impaired, run for and by blind citizens
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/BlindCitizensWA/
Contact Dee Ferris
Phone: 0438 687 768
Email: [email protected]
First Peoples' Disability Advocacy Network WA
Peer support for Aboriginal people with a disability and their families
Contact Wendy Wright
Phone: 0413 401 186
Email: [email protected]
People with FSHD and MD WA
Bi-monthly lunch gatherings for people with all types of Muscular Dystrophy and their families on the last Sunday of the month.
Contact Karen Schonrock
Phone: 9493 7000
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fshdandmdwa.com
NDIS Grassroots Discussion
Large (43,000 members) online national peer support group for disabled people, family members and supporters. Information sharing and support.
Facebook group: www.tinyurl.com/ndisgrassroots
Contact Samantha Connor
Email: [email protected]
NDIS in WA Peer Support
Online group for disabled people, their families and supporters in WA. Information sharing and support.
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/WA.NDISMyWayPeerSupport/
Contact Bronwyn Lines
Email: [email protected]
WA Autistic Adults
Facebook group: WA Autistic Adults
Self Advocacy and Peer Support WA
Online and face to face group of people who discuss issues around disability, discrimination and self-advocacy
Facebook group: www.tinyurl.com/selfadvocacywa
Contact: Zel lscel
Phone: 0413 813 885
Self Advocacy WA
Face-to-face group of adult self-advocates with an intellectual disability − meets monthly at People With disabilities WA (Perth metro).
Contact: People With disabilities WA
Email: [email protected]
Spinal Chatter
Facebook group and peer support for people with a spinal cord injury.
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/spinalchatter
Contact Karen Harvey
Phone: 9445 7 439
Access Toodyay
Disabled people and families living in Toodyay
Face-to-face group, meets monthly in Toodyay to share information and support
Contact Samantha Connor
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.tinyurl.com/toodyayaccessgroup
Wheatbelt Disability Action Group
A group of people with disability living in Northam, Toodyay, York and Chittering − information sharing about the NDIS
Face-to-face forums and meetings
Contact Michelle Hogan or Samantha Connor
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Women with Disabilities WA
Regular forums for women with disabilities held in the Perth metro area about topics of interest to disabled women, e-newsletter and Facebook page.
Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/wwdwa/
Contact Wendy Wright
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0413 401 186
Web: www.wwdwa.org.au
Youth Disability Advocacy Network
A group of young people aged 12-25 with disabilities in WA advocating for the rights and interests of all young people living with disabilities in WA.
Twitter: @YDANWA
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/youthdisabilityadvocacy/
Contact Jesse or Rebecca
Email: [email protected]
Carers with Disability Australia
Online FB group for disabled people who are carers for other disabled people (including people who are aged and medically unwell)
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/carerswithdisability
WA Accessible Shooting Discussion
A group for disabled people who are interested in recreational or competition shooting. The group discusses techniques, aids and equipment, events and opportunities.
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/WAASD/
Contact Clint Morgan
Email: [email protected]
Inside Out
A group of disabled people who provide peer support to residents in the WA Quadriplegic Centre.
Email: [email protected]
Consumers of Mental Health WA's Peer Support Groups
CoMHWA is the state-wide, peak body for people with lived/living experience of mental health issues (consumers).
For more information contact admin.
Phone: 08 9258 8911
Email: admin@comhwa.org.au
WA Peer Supporters' Network
The WA Peer Supporter's Network (WAPSN) promotes the growth of peer support and the peer workforce, serving as a hub for learning, news, collaboration and support in Western Australia. CoMHWA currently hosts WAPSN with funding support from the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia.
The Network offers a newsletter and networking every two months.
Joining the network is free and open to peer supporters, simply email [email protected] or contact (08) 9258 8911.
Shauna Gaebler, CEO
Phone: (08) 9258 8911
Email: [email protected]
Peer support resources
Being a good committee member (PDF)
Where to get help – for disabled parents and carers of disabled children and adults (PDF)
How to be a good chairperson (PDF)
How to be an effective contact person (PDF)
How to be an effective support group (PDF)
How to book and use an Auslan interpreter (PDF)
How to communicate effectively (PDF)
How to create a Statement of Purpose (PDF)
How to find and keep members (PDF)
How to hold an accessible event (PDF)
How to keep your financial records (PDF)
How to solve problems in your group (PDF)
How to work with newspapers and magazines (PDF)
How to work with radio and television (PDF)
How to write a media release (PDF)
How to write an information sheet or brochure (PDF)
How to support younger people with a disability ar risk of entering aged care (PDF)
How to get help from the NDIS (PDF)
Telling people about your group – going to expos and public meetings (PDF)