This depends on the circumstances and locations in which potential clients are to be engaged. In Gambia and Ghana, whilst we do register new clients over the phone and have a presence at partnering rehabilitation services, much of our work focuses on engaging newly amputated individuals. Through partnerships with key surgical hospitals in project areas we meet clients in person initially on wards and begin to introduce the concept of peer-counselling and the community individuals can join. If they consent we register them on our systems and the coordination teams then assign a peer-counsellor to follow up. We try to match clients with counsellors of a similar background – e.g. gender, age, cause of amputation and languages spoken – however this is not always possible.
From there sessions are conducted by trained peer-counsellors and can be undertaken face-to-face, over the phone, or via online platforms, depending on the individual’s preference, access to technology and location in relation to their peer-counsellor. With the consent of the client, home visits can be undertaken, these are often a time for the family to engage with the peer-counsellors too, as there are many challenges and questions from the caregiver side also.
Outside of Gambia and Ghana, our partnering centres in other countries may provide emotional rehabilitation services. Feel free to reach out to them or us and we can understand your situation and if possible refer to them.
LEGS ON TOUR 26