Support Groups & Services
Support groups consists of people with common experiences and concerns who can provide mutual advice and assistance. The list below outlines different support groups that operate at different geographic areas.
K.I.D.S. Foundation
Australia-wide based in Victoria
Suitable for children and adults
The K.I.D.S. Foundation is a leading injury prevention and injury recovery not for profit organisation directly reaching more than 30,000 children each year. Their goal is to teach children to be safe and create a better life for those living with serious injury and burns.
Burn Survivors’ Network
The Burns Survivors’ Network (BSN) is a national support program, which provides services and programs to assist burns survivors and their families to develop a quality of life beyond survival. BSN offers lifetime support, friendship, hope, understanding and emotional adjustment by means of sharing strength and information. BSN programs include camps, assistance packages, education, communication and support networks.
Burns Support Foundation
New South Wales
Suitable for children, adults and families
The Burns Support Foundation is a non-profit organisation established in 1990 and receives no government funding. It was initiated by Sylvia Long who, as a burn survivor, realised the need and importance of having a support group. The BSF relies on fundraising efforts to continue operating. It is managed by burn survivors, relatives of burn survivors and professional staff working for the NSW Severe Burn Injury Service who volunteer their time. The BSF welcomes both adult and children burn survivors, their families and friends.
New Zealand Burns Support Group
New Zealand
Suitable for children, adults and families
B.S.G offers individuals throughout N.Z who have experienced burn injuries, along with their families/whanau emotional and practical support during recovery and beyond. Facilitating access to non-clinical and peer support initiatives as the Children’s Burn Camp, Women’s Retreat and Survivor Sundays. We aim to raise the awareness in relation to burns with education and prevention approaches.
S.H.A.R.E. (Sharing Hope, Acceptance, Resilience and Experience)
New South Wales
Suitable of adults with a current burn injury
S.H.A.R.E. – Sharing Hope, Acceptance, Resilience and Experience – is a peer support program which connects patients with a burn injury admitted to hospital with burn injury survivors for face-to-face one-on-one social contact and support. Peer support volunteers are supported by a social worker and provided with comprehensive training. The program has been taken up by the acute adult burn units at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital and Graythwaite Rehabilitation Centre.
Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
United States of America
Online community
Founded in 1977, the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering anyone affected by a burn injury. Our name comes from the legendary bird that lives 500 years and is consumed by flame, but rises again—reborn from its ashes—more brilliant than it was before.