Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS)

Young people with a chronic illness often feel lonely, isolated, uninformed or bored. ChIPS aims to connect young people with a chronic illness with other young people in a similar situation, to increase their peer group, talk about the good and the bad, have fun, and learn skills to get on with life. The ChIPS program motto is “ChIPS isn’t just about chronic illness. It’s about being an adolescent and getting on with life”.

ChIPS offers peer support groups, socials, workshops, camps, information, leadership training, and the opportunity to be involved in contributions to newsletters and magazines, writing funding submissions, and public speaking events. All these activities are approved, planned and implemented by the Reference Committee made up of 21 young people and volunteers.

Young people can be involved in the program as little or as much as they want. Once they have completed the 8-week peer support group, participants can just be placed on a mailing list to receive information, or they can choose to be involved in every event as well as the Reference Committee. It’s up to you! The activities listed above provide opportunities to meet people, make friends, learn new skills, challenge yourself, and just have fun.

ChIPS is open to anyone with a chronic illness aged between 12 and 26. You can refer yourself to the program, or have your Mum or Dad, school or health professional call first. It takes courage, but it is worth it!

Through the website you can also arrange a talk from ChIPS about chronic illness and the program for your school or community group.