SOAR peer-to-peer burns support program

SOAR support worker Susan Power (left) and Burn Psychologist Dr Lynne Heyes

The RBWH Stuart Pegg Burn Centre is the first Burns Centre in Australia and New Zealand to establish and implement SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) peer support.

Phoenix SOAR is a program of the US Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, offering one-to-one peer support to burn survivors and their family and carers. There are 85-plus SOAR hospitals in the US and Canada.

RBWH burn survivors and carers from across Queensland have volunteered to undergo training to offer peer support, under the supervision and mentorship of Burn Psychologist Dr Lynne Heyes.

“Peer burn support provides a unique opportunity to address issues such as loneliness, isolation and fears of the future a burn injury often evokes. It meets a critical psychosocial need that health professionals cannot provide, and provides an intangible powerful experience for all involved,” Dr Heyes said.

Patient and SOAR support worker Susan Power Susan reiterated that while doctors and nurses deliver exceptional medical care, SOAR support workers bring a unique perspective, having faced and navigated the emotional and physical ramifications of burn injuries themselves.

“This shared experience fosters a deeper understanding and connection, allowing participants to communicate openly and authentically,” Susan said.

“The program creates a safe space where individuals can discuss their feelings, fears and triumphs without judgment, which promotes emotional healing. By facilitating these connections, the SOAR program empowers participants to regain confidence and resilience, ultimately enhancing their recovery journey.”

Peer support can be offered in person at the hospital or via telehealth.

The program has been funded by the RBWH Foundation via a donation from Anglo American Australian Mining.