Brain Injury Services
Networks of Support
What is a Network of Support?
o It is a group of committed men and women who are in a friendship/relationship with a survivor of brain injury who is isolated and vulnerable by reason of disability, living arrangement, limited opportunities, or society’s perception.
o A Personal Network welcomes or connects people to the heart of community.
What can Networks Accomplish?
o Support survivors of brain injury to be productive contributing members of their community
o Some networks have succeeded in finding employment, volunteer work and arranging job supports
o Participating in cultural, recreation and sports programs
o Celebrating birthdays and other festive occasions
o Sharing hobbies and other interests
What is our purpose?
Our purpose in providing Personal Networks of Support is to ensure that individuals living with a brain injury have an opportunity to contribute to his/her community. It is our hope that the focus individual in the Network will feel supported and that their wishes and choices are respected and that their families enjoy peace of mind.
Who Benefits from a Network?
o Everyone!
o Networks assist individuals (the focus person) to have a safer, more secure, and richer quality of life.
o Networks allow the parents and family members of the relative with a brain injury to have peace of mind.
o Networks provide opportunities for community citizens to participate in loving, reciprocal relationships where they come to know the individual at the focus of the network as more than a survivor of brain injury.
Our experience shows…
…that a brain injury does not preclude relationship. Everybody can be in a relationship, regardless how “disabled” the individual might be. Everyone benefits through the personal relationships that are established.
What are the limitations of a Network?
A Network cannot replace a family. Families are the foundation of healthy networks. Without the active support and participation of family members, Networks are difficult to develop and maintain.
Networks cannot replace the social service systems. Networks provide a bridge to the formal service system by working cooperatively with professionals. They cannot be expected to replace the services provided by governments and professionals.
Networks take time to see results. Change does not happen overnight. It takes hard work and patience to experience the benefits of a personal support network.
What if a member leaves the Network?
Our goal is to develop the network to where it is self-sufficient with volunteer involvement. When members leave the network, the facilitator will work with the focus individual and/or their family to invite new members into the network
What does it cost to develop a Network?
There is no charge to the families or the focus individual. On average 40 hours of facilitation is required over eight months to develop a network. Once the network is established, an average of eight hours of facilitation time is needed each year to maintain the network.
