Safeguarding the future conference - Canberra, 23-24 May 2024

Peer Support Groups

Six women attending one of our Peer Support Groups

In 2024, we will be offering the following peer groups. Applications are now open.

About Imagine More’s Peer Support Groups

Our Peer Support Groups support families to help their family members with disability seek out, enjoy and maintain The Good Life. Each group provides an opportunity for learning, discussion, sharing, troubleshooting, and celebrating.

During meetings, we encourage peer group members to share their ideas and plans and find inspiration from each other’s stories and experiences. Our friendly and knowledgeable facilitators ensure everyone feels safe, welcome, and supported.

Our peer groups are built around different topics, but all share the following guiding principles:

One person at a time

We must always keep the individual at the centre of all our planning and actions. What works for one person may not work for another. By working one person at a time, we are more likely to invest our efforts towards outcomes that lead the individual to the good things in life.

Full inclusion

Our efforts are focused on promoting inclusion in every aspect of a person’s life. This means that we don’t explore or discuss options that involve any form of congregation or segregation of people with disability.

Meaningful and valued contribution and participation

This is a crucial element of any good life. When a person has a valued role, such as being a friend at school, having a job, or being a homemaker, this provides them with purpose, meaningful contribution and a way to participate in the community. As Dylan Alcott (Australian of the Year 2022) would say, changing the perception of others is critical in shifting societal expectations of people with disability.

Social Role Valorisation theory supports the focus on changing perception. It tells us that when people with disability have roles that are highly valued by others, it shifts how they are perceived and treated.

We invite you to join us in a Peer Group that best suits your family’s focus this year. It doesn’t matter if you are very new to seeking the good things of life or a seasoned traveller. We can all learn something from others and give and receive support.

Peer Support Group Themes for 2024

Imagine More's peer groups for 2024

  • The 2024 schedule of peer group meetings will be confirmed in the New Year.
  • Each Peer Group has a limited number of places, prioritising past members and those in the Canberra region.

Customised Employment

Join a group of families creating individualised employment opportunities for their family members. We welcome people who share our vision of employment for people with disability.

Imagining Home

Join this supportive group of like-minded families exploring Home for their family members with disability. We welcome families who have a strong vision for home for their family members with disability and want to look beyond the limitations of congregated housing models.

Learn more about the 2024 Imagining Home Peer Group

Inclusive Education

Join this supportive group of like-minded families pursuing an inclusive education for their children with disability. We welcome new members who share our vision of authentic inclusive education for students with disability.

Learn more about the 2024 Inclusive Education Peer Group

Self-managing the NDIS

A supportive group of like-minded families who are self-managing an NDIS plan for a family member with intellectual disability. We welcome families with experience self-managing an NDIS plan and those thinking about starting.

Learn more about the 2024 Self-managing NDIS Peer Group