Why you should join our peer support service

 Come and join one of our peer pods! You’ll gain a huge amount of support, and it’s easy to do, says Vicky Timmins, MS-UK’s peer support coordinator

MS-UK’s peer support service has been successfully running since early 2021, and it has been such a pleasure to watch it evolve and grow into the valuable support network that it has become today.

Although many people are already enjoying the benefits of attending our peer pods, we have learned from recent surveys that there are some barriers to people joining, so I’m going to address some of those in this blog:

Reaching out for the first time

We appreciate that it can be daunting joining any new group for the first time, whether it be in person, or virtually online. If you are feeling anxious, we can arrange for you to meet one-to-one with the Peer Pod host over Zoom beforehand. This way they can introduce you to the concept, answer any questions you may have, and you can see if it’s something you think you might enjoy. If you decide to give it a try, they will be a familiar face and will support you when you join for the first time.

In any case, you can be assured that all of the peer pods are safe spaces where you will be given a very warm welcome.

Registration process

We’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for you to register your interest. Simply go to the website Multiple sclerosis support groups online | MS-UK | Peer Pods

Here you can read more about the individual peer pods and each page has the option to click on and complete our online enquiry form. The form will ask for your name and contact details and you can tick which pods you might be interested in.

Once the form is submitted, you will be sent a welcome email within three days which will include the peer pod guidelines and current timetable with the Zoom log in details for each pod. To join a peer pod, simply log on at the start time of your chosen session, and the volunteer host will welcome you to the group!

There is no need to book or let us know in advance that you’re going to attend, and you can ‘try out’ as many Peer Pods as you like! If you have any questions before joining, you can contact the team at peersupport@ms-uk.org and they will be happy to help.

Technology

Modern technology can be a wonderful thing (when it’s working properly!), and it’s certainly enabled us to support more people living with MS than we ever could have done without it! Our peer pod sessions are all held via online Zoom ‘meetings’.

All you need to join a session is an internet connection and a device – this can be a desk-top PC, a tablet, such as an iPad, or even your smart phone. Here is a guide to downloading Zoom on to your desktop.

Zoom is available to download on Apple devices in the App Store, and for Android devices in the Google Play store. To make sure you download the correct and latest version for your platform, click here to go to Zoom’s Download Centre.

If tech is really not your thing and you need some extra support getting started, then our Peer Support Coordinator Vicky will be happy to arrange a call so that she can guide you through the process. You can even have a trial Zoom meeting so you can see how it all works, and hopefully feel more confident when it comes to logging on for a Peer Pod session.

If you have any problems getting Zoom to work, call MS-UK on 01206 226500, and a member of the team will be happy to help.

Knowing what to expect

As we’ve mentioned, all of our peer pods are safe and welcoming spaces. The peer pod is hosted by a volunteer ‘peer supporter’ who is someone living with MS themselves so are able to relate to those joining the session. Peer pods run weekly, fortnightly, or monthly and usually last about an hour depending on how the conversation is going. Upon joining for the first time, the host will welcome you and invite you to introduce yourself to the rest of the group. There is no pressure to speak, and if you’re feeling really shy, you can even just join with your camera and microphone off, so you can see what it’s all about first, though we rather hope that it wouldn’t be too long before you feel comfortable and confident enough to join in.

While some of our pods are centred around a particular subject theme, most are not, and this means that conversation could be around anything that the group feel like talking about at the time. This could be anything from discussing how to manage a particular symptom, sharing a funny/sad/difficult experience or celebrating small triumphs. What all the pods have in common though, is the opportunity to be heard, seen, and supported by others that truly understand.

Timing of sessions

We know that it can sometimes be a challenge to find the time to attend a peer pod, whether it be work/family/appointments or other commitments, life is sometimes just too busy. That is why we aim to provide as many choices as possible throughout the week, with sessions running during the day, evenings and even at the weekend!

You are always welcome to pop into any peer pods that fit your own schedule, and once you’ve joined, there’s absolutely no obligation for you to attend every session. Some people find they’re able to join several pods one week and none the next, and that’s completely fine! No-one will be chasing you if you don’t show up (unless you suddenly disappear after attending regularly and we’re genuinely worried about you!).

We simply want to offer as many opportunities for social connection as possible, so that those in need of support always have somewhere they can be with others and feel less isolated.

If none of our current Peer Pod times work for you, and you’d really like to connect with others on a regular basis, why not host your own Peer Pod at a time that suits you?! Vicky is always happy to hear from anyone wishing to volunteer!

Being too MS focused

We acknowledge that some people prefer just to ‘get on with it’ and don’t necessarily want to spend time thinking or talking about their condition, and that’s perfectly fine.

While it’s very likely that all things MS related will be included within any Peer Pod discussions, it is by no means the only topic of conversation. It may be MS that initially brings everyone together, but you are all so much more than that and everyone brings something different to the group.

Therefore, conversations will be as varied as those attending and might include music/ travel/ interests/ relationships/ pets…..we could go on but you get the idea!

Our Peer Pods are certainly not dark and gloomy places where everyone bemoans the condition, but there is real value in being able to chat about how MS is affecting you if and when you need to.

Still not sure if it’s for you? There’s only one way to find out and that’s to give the Peer Pods a try. There’s nothing to lose, and a whole lot to be gained 😊

We hope to hear from you soon!