FAMILY PEER SUPPORT
Because We Believe In Supporting Everyone Involved
Because We Believe In Supporting Everyone Involved
When someone you love goes through Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery and recovery, it doesn’t just change their life — it can affect you and your whole family too. Partners, parents, siblings, adult children, and other close relatives often carry emotional, practical, and social stresses that are different from the person living with OOKP.
We believe family members deserve peer-led support that honours your experience, gives you a space to be heard, and connects you with others who understand what it’s like to support someone through the OOKP journey. Peer support for families helps you feel less alone, more informed, and better equipped to care both for your loved one and yourself. Peer support has been shown to reduce feelings of isolation and help families develop confidence and coping strategies by connecting with others in similar roles.
Peer family support is a community-based, empathetic service where family members of someone living with a health challenge; connect, share experiences, and support one another. It isn’t clinical advice — it’s lived experience, shared understanding, and mutual support. Many organisations use peer-led services, because they empower family members to cope better with the emotional and practical aspects of care-giving and life support roles.
Through peer support, you can:
share what you’ve been through with others, who truly understand
learn strategies, ideas, and coping methods from families with similar experiences
build confidence in your own role as a supporter and caregiver
feel heard, validated, and understood, in a non-judgemental space
Unlike clinical counselling, peer support focuses on shared experience and emotional connection — but it still helps families develop resilience, reduce stress, and feel more supported day to day.
Our peer family support is here for people who are:
Partners of someone having, or is recovering from OOKP surgery
Parents or grandparents supporting a loved one with OOKP
Siblings, or adult children navigating the emotional journey
Friends or carers who want understanding, connection, and shared insight
🤝 Peer Conversations
Connection with another peer family member who has lived through similar experiences. Talking openly with someone who “gets it” can reduce emotional burden and help you find your own way of coping.
💬 Group Discussions and Sharing Circles
Sometimes it’s helpful to talk with several families together, hear different perspectives, and share ideas in a safe, respectful space. This often shows, support can take many forms and there is no right or wrong, providing the OOKP patient is happy with the support received.
📘 Practical Strategy Sharing
Encountering real examples of ways families have handled common challenges — from communication and stress, to adapting routines and managing responsibilities.
🎗 Emotional Validation and Normalisation
Many family members tell us, just being understood — without judgement — has a powerful impact. Peer support creates a space where you can express what’s on your mind, without prejudice; and receive suggestions of how small changes, can make a massive difference.
Family peer support conversations may include, but are not restricted to:
How to cope with emotional stress and uncertainty
Strategies for supporting your loved one without losing yourself
Communication ideas to reduce tension within the household
Planning for practical care tasks and daily routines
Ways to maintain your own wellbeing (physical and emotional)
These are all valid and common conversations — and yours deserve attention and compassion.
Subject Line: Family Support
Please complete the questionnaire below and include in the body of the email. This allows us to assess your needs and connect you with the most appropriate member.
We aim to reply within 2–3 working days.
Once you’ve contacted us:
1. We’ll acknowledge your message and review your questionnaire to tailor the support offered to you.
2. We’ll connect you with a peer family supporter or group session that fits your needs.
3. We’ll help arrange a time and format that works for you.
Your journey as a supporter matters — and we’re here to walk alongside you.
Being a family member of someone with OOKP can be deeply rewarding, but it can also bring unique challenges. Family peer support helps you find your voice, gain insight, and feel part of a community that understands the emotional complexity of supporting a loved one with a major health experience. Studies show that when family carers connect with others who share their role, it improves confidence, coping abilities, and emotional wellbeing.
Please be aware, family peer support is not clinical therapy — it's an empathetic, shared experience designed to help you feel supported and connected. If you think you need professional mental health support or clinical counselling, please inform us and we can help point you toward those services if needed.
💙 Thank you for caring — and thank you for taking this step toward supporting your family member.
Please complete this brief questionnaire and include it in the main body of your email, to help us understand your support needs and tailor the best peer support for your situation.
Full Name:
Preferred Email:
Phone Number (optional):
(e.g., spouse, parent, sibling, adult child, carer)
(This helps us understand how members find us)
(Tell us what’s most on your mind and what prompted you to reach out.)
(Tick all that apply — and feel free to explain.)
☐ Emotional support and understanding
☐ Coping with stress or worry
☐ Practical advice for daily life with your loved one
☐ Communication and family dynamics
☐ Planning and organisation
☐ Other (please explain):
(For example: conversations, resources, routines, support from others, coping methods.)
(For example: “I want ideas on how to explain OOKP to other children in the family.”)
(e.g., friends, support groups, counselling, community service)
☐ Yes – please describe:
☐ No
(e.g., someone to listen, share experiences, give ideas for coping, help with planning everyday tasks)
(Tick all that apply)
☐ Email support
☐ Phone conversation
☐ Video call (e.g., Zoom, WhatsApp)
☐ Small group discussion
☐ Other: - please explain
(Optional — anything that would help us support you better)
We’ll review your responses and contact you soon to arrange a tailored support session.
If you need immediate emotional support, phone support lines and local services are available — and you can ask us about those too.
💙 Thank you for taking this step — your experience and needs matter, and we’re here to walk alongside you.