Community Peer Support

About the Community Peer Support service

SIA's Community Peer Support service provides practical advice and support for those being treated in District General Hospitals or Neurological Centres who sustain damage to the spinal cord either through trauma or as a result of being treated for other primary medical conditions. It also provides help for family members and friends by allowing them to talk through the impact of such an injury with someone who understands and can signpost them to sources of information.

Our Community Peer Support Officer

Peter Hutchings became spinal cord injured following surgery in 1999. He was initially treated at his local District General Hospital before being transferred to the Salisbury Spinal Injuries Centre. He fully appreciates the importance of leaving hospital armed with as much information as possible. Through his experience of living with spinal cord injury Peter is able to talk one-to-one with newly paralysed people, their families and friends. Living independently with a disability, he can also provide information and advice across a range of topics relating to spinal cord injury.

Accessing the Service

If you are spinal cord injured, are not being treated at a Spinal Injuries Centre and think you would benefit from talking to someone who understands your situation, simply email Peter Hutchings or call him on 07593 538126. Peter is also happy to meet with those involved in the treatment and care of spinal cord injured people to talk about the range of services offered by SIA and how we can help support you.