In recognition of Rare Disease Day, our staff member Emily had the pleasure of catching up with Renee Brown, Secretary for the Australian Pompe Association. Renee speaks about Pompe, its daily challenges, and the importance of raising awareness of rare conditions.   To learn more about Pompe and support available, contact Renee at secretary@australianpompe.org.au.   To find out about peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.

As part of our Rare Disease Day podcast series, Emily speaks with Michelle Robinson about the rare condition MELAS, a mitochondrial disease which Michelle and her family live with.   To learn more about mitochondrial disease and support available, contact The Mito Foundation Support Network at info@mito.org.au.   To find out about peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

As part of our Rare Disease Day podcast series, Emily chats with Lisa Rynne, the co-founder of Sotos Syndrome Association, about the rare condition, her experience as a mother of a child with Sotos, and the importance of raising awareness about rare, genetic, and undiagnosed conditions.   To learn more about Sotos Syndrome Association Inc, contact info@sotos.org.au.   To find out about peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In the lead up to Rare Disease Day, Emily catches up with Julia McDonald from Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group WA who shares her journey of diagnosis and living with a rare condition, and provides information about the WA Support Group.   To learn more about Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group WA, contact Julia at juliamcdonald@ozemail.com.au   To find out about peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In the lead up to the International Day of People with Disability, ConnectGroups caught up with Amber Gilkes, founder of XYY Syndrome Association of Australia to talk about her experience as a mother of a child with XYY, and the importance of inclusion and raising awareness of the rare, genetic, and undiagnosed conditions sector.   To learn more about XYY, contact Amber at xyyaustralia@gmail.com. To find out about peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

ConnectGroups recently caught up with Ryan Rigg at Survivors and Friends to learn more about the new Support Group which supports victims of institutional abuse by providing emotional support, information, and resources in a safe and confidential setting. To learn more about Survivors and Friends, contact Ryan or Jarrod at the emails listed below: rrigg77@gmail.com jluscombe72@gmail.com To find out about peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

ConnectGroups SCDO Abbey Grosse and Advocacy Comms Coordinator Amanda Muir chat all things Support Groups Awareness Week in the lead up to the campaign launch. To find out more about the campaign and how to get involved, visit www.connectgroups.org.au/peer-support-groups-awareness-week.   Tune in to RTR FM 92.1 next week to hear some of our Support Group members talk about the great work they're doing in the community. Schedule below. Monday 24 October, 10.30am: ConnectGroups Tuesday 25 October, 9.45am: Solace Grief Support Group and Chronically Inspired Wednesday 26 October, 9.45am: Prostate Cancer Help Association Thursday 27 October, 9.45am: Invisible Illnesses Inc and Depression Support Network Albany Friday 28 October, 10.10am: Heartspace Women's Health Hub and Sikh Women Alliance Network   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com  

In this Women's Health Week feature, ConnectGroups SCDO Abbey Grosse speaks with Tanya Langford about Heartspace Women's Support Group and the importance of an holistic approach for women's health, mental health and wellbeing. To learn more about Heartspace, email Tanya at tanya.langford@yahoo.com.au. To find out about peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In this Men's Health Week feature, ConnectGroups SCDO Abbey Grosse speaks with Ross Campbell about Prost! Exercise 4 Prostate Cancer, the importance of men's health, and how to better engage with men about their health and mental health. To learn more about Prost!, contact Ross on 0407 886 823 or email email@prost.com.au. To find out about peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

ConnectGroups speaks with Mining HQ about peer Support Groups, ConnectGroups' work in the regions, and engaging men in the Support Group sector. For more information about ConnectGroups, visit www.connectgroups.org.au.

In this Harmony Week Feature, ConnectGroups SCDO Abbey Grosse chats with Juanaili Hultzsch, Administration and Intake Officer for Life Without Barriers' Culturally Diverse Psychological Service about the importance of culturally diverse and inclusive services and supports.   To learn more about Life Without Barriers' services, contact cdps@lwb.org.au To find out about culturally inclusive peer Support Groups in WA, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

This podcast provides an overview of how to run an Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Support Groups, and includes information on what actions are required pre-AGM, during the AGM, and post-AGM.   If you require further support, please contact ConnectGroups on (08) 9364 6909 or email info@connectgroups.org.au   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

This podcast provides an overview of the Asset Based Community Development method (ABCD) and how it may resonate with Peer Support Groups.   If you require support, please contact ConnectGroups on (08) 9364 6909 or email info@connectgroups.org.au   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

This podcast provides an overview of incorporation and what it means to incorporate your Peer Support Group.   For further information around incorporation and the process involved, please view our online Incorporation resource.   If you require support, please contact ConnectGroups on (08) 9364 6909 or email info@connectgroups.org.au   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

This self-care feature is presented by Magdaliene Hajielias, the Executive Officer and Supervising Clinician at MyLocalMind Inc. The podcast talks about the importance of self-care and will be beneficial in the management of peer Support Groups and also individual wellbeing.   For more information about self-care for Support Groups, please visit www.connectgroups.org.au or email info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com  

ConnectGroups speaks with Sleep Coach Amanda Slinger about the importance of sleep for mental health and wellbeing.   For further resources to support better sleep, visit www.sleepspot.co. For additional self-care resources for Support Groups, visit www.connectgroups.org.au or email info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com  

This podcast provides an overview of what you should have in place before starting a Facebook Support Group, managing group members, roles and responsibilities of your Admin Team, and responding to difficult posts.   If you require support, please contact ConnectGroups on (08) 9364 6909 or email info@connectgroups.org.au   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

ConnectGroups and PTSD West chat with Radio Fremantle about PTSD support available to women in WA.

ConnectGroups CEO Antonella Segre talks with Radio Fremantle about its latest project, Strengthening the Capacity and Capability of the Rare, Genetic, and Undiagnosed Conditions Sector in WA.   For more information about ConnectGroups and this project, please visit www.connectgroups.org.au or email info@connectgroups.org.au.

ConnectGroups' Senior Policy Officer Renee Darbyshir speaks with Sandra Button from Solace Grief Support Group about the importance of Digital Inclusion for the Support Group Sector. For more information about Solace Grief Support Group WA, visit https://solacegriefsupportwa.org.au. To find out more about the WA Support Group Sector, contact ConnectGroups at info@connectgroups.org.au.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com