8 November 2011

Footsteps Peer Support Group in Te Anau is a great resource for people living in the town.

The group is led by Pact Southland service advisor coordinator Ailsa Fenton. Ailsa took over running the group from former Southland District Health Board consumer advisor Val Dockerty when she left.

The group meets once a fortnight on Monday night and Gayle Meijer from SF Southland goes with Ailsa to the town. Ailsa says the members discuss how they are and if anything arises they will thrash out the issue among the group. Anyone with more serious issues is encouraged to see their doctor.

There are six to eight people in the group but not all people turn up at every meeting. Sometimes Ailsa will do education sessions, covering things like WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning). She says she and Gayle can provide sessions on anything group members are interested in.

The group has been a good way for people to admit they have issues and need help with them.

“We’re just there for each other.”

Ailsa says there are people in the group who have told her that without the group they believe they would have had a complete breakdown.

“Another lady said ‘if it wasn’t for this group I would be dead’ so that’s massive feedback. That blew me away and it made me realise there is a need.”

Ailsa says the members are all women at the moment and she would like to see some men join.

“We know that there are some men teetering on the edge of coming.”

Anyone wanting to join can get in touch with Ailsa: (03) 211 2853 or 027 404 1599 or ailsa.fenton@pactgroup.co.nz.