TOPS volunteers provide friendship, information and resources to survivors and care providers impacted by an acquired brain injury. The toll-free 1-800 number makes this service available to a wider range of participants in our service area ( Duncan to Qualicum Beach ) who may not be able to access services because of transportation, financial, health and geographic barriers. This helps to reduce the isolation felt by many. This exciting new program also provides an opportunity for individuals impacted by an acquired brain injury to volunteer in a meaningful way. Peers supporters are trained to be effective listeners, provide feedback, clarify issues and assist the caller to identify options for their own problem resolution. Peer support provides proactive assistance for solving problems before they become acute. Peer support is simply people helping people. Individuals with similar interests and backgrounds offer assistance, support and suggestions in finding suitable solutions to various challenges and difficulties we all face. However, peer supporters are not counselors. When problems appear to require specialized assistance, referrals are made to other community resources.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority Brain Injury Program provided the initial funding to develop a Telephone Outreach Peer Support Training Program. In January 2006 the first groups of trainees completed the comprehensive 5 session training program and immediately were matched with peers for weekly telephone calls. In April several of the peer supporters began to take on multiple clients. The response has been very positive from both the clients and peer supporters. We have scheduled a second training session for June 2006 and anticipate similar success. The training manual has been made available to other agencies and societies interested in beginning a peer support program. Our goal is to secure continued funding in order to maintain supervision, training and recruitment of this successful program.