Face to Face Support Groups

These groups meet for mutual support around a ‘special interest’. Trained Peer Support Workers initially lead each group, members are encouraged to meet for socialisation and educational opportunities. These self-help groups are active throughout Victoria and are listed below.

Enquiries and referral to any of these groups must be made through program staff – Gayle Homann or Carol Ford-Johnson on (03) 9845 2700.

Blackburn Groups

• Younger Persons Group - 3rd Thursday of month - 7.00 - 9.00pm
• Women in the East - 1st Thursday of month - 10.00am - 12.30pm
• Discussion Group - Monthly - Wednesdays 1.00 - 3.00pm
• After Hours MS Group - 1st Tuesday of month - 7.30 - 9.00 pm

Footscray Groups

• Women's Sunday Lunch Group - Monthly - Sunday lunch meetings
• Mixed Day Group  - Monthly - last Wed of month - 10.30am - 12.00noon
• CALD Group - Fortnightly - Tuesdays 11.00am - 12.30pm
• Mums & Bubs Group - 2nd Wed of the month - various locations.

Middle Park Group

• Younger Persons Group - 'on hold' at present

Regional/Rural Groups

• Geelong Mixed Day Group - Tuesdays 11.00am - 12.30pm
• Geelong Young Women's Coffee Group - 3rd Thurs of month - 6.30pm
• Surf Coast Women’s Group – 3rd Thurs of month – 11.00am-12.30pm
• Yarram Mixed Day Group - Monthly - 11.30am - 1.00 pm
• San Remo Mixed Day Group - 1st Wed of month 10.30am-12.30pm
• Bendigo - 1st Tuesday of month - 3.30 - 5.00pm
• Benalla Mixed Day Group - 2nd Monday of month - 10.00am -12.00noon
• Shepparton - 3rd Tues of month – 10.30am – 12.00noon
• Myrtleford - 4th Monday of month – 10.30am – 12.00noon
• Hamilton - last Thurs of month - 11.00am - 12.30pm
• Warrnambool - 2nd Wed of month – 10.30am – 12.00 noon
• Portland - (commencing in September 08)
• Peninsula Mixed Day Group (Hastings) - Monthly - Wed 1.00-2.30pm

Carer Support Programs

• The Nerve Centre - 1st Wednesday of month - 1.00pm - 3.30pm
• Footscray - 2nd Wednesday of month - 6.00pm - 9.00pm
• Werribee - Last Wednesday of month - 7.00pm - 9.00pm
• Northern Carers - Last Thursday of month - 7.30pm - 9.30pm
• Southern Peninsula Carers - 3rd Wednesday of month - 1.30pm
• Leongatha Carers - 1st Thursday of month - 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Prospective Groups for 2009

Rural Victoria

• Portland
• Gisborne/Castlemaine
• Seymour/Heathcote
• Wangaratta
• Albury/Wodonga
• Gippsland

Melbourne

• South Eastern Suburbs
• Frankston

Registering for Peer Support Program

To use the service, call the MS Society on (03) 9845 2700.

If you would like to know more about the program, contact our staff member below:

Gayle Homann Peer Program Leader MS VIC The Nerve Centre 54 Railway Road Blackburn, VIC 3130 Phone: (03) 9845 2700 Fax: (03) 9845 2777 Email: ghomann@mssociety.com.au