Friday, 22 September 2017

More people in Gippsland living with a chronic illness will get support from their local peer-led support groups thanks to an Andrews Labor Government funding boost.

Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria Region today announced local support groups were among 58 to share in more than $281,000 of grants through the Health Condition Support Grants Program over two years.

The Andrews Labor Government is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all Victorians, no matter where they live.

Not-for-profit, peer-led support groups help people better manage a chronic health condition.

In these groups, people with chronic diseases, their families and carers can meet, share their experience with peers with the same illness and learn first-hand how to best manage the condition and enjoy a better quality of life.

In Gippsland:

• Heart Support Australia – South Gippsland will receive $ 3,905

• Moe Movers and Shakers will receive $ 1,040

The grants will assist these peer-led support groups with administrative and operational costs over a two-year period.

This means peer-led support groups can continue to support people to better manage their disease, to learn more about it, to make better decisions about their care and to help them to live well.

Half of all Victorian adults report having at least one chronic disease, and one in five has two or more chronic diseases.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“Peer-led support groups can make a real difference for people learning to cope after being diagnosed with a chronic illness”

“These grants for Heart Support Australia and Moe Movers and Shakers will support their invaluable work improving the lives of people with a chronic health condition.”