RCH > Medical Services > Centre for Adolescent Health > ChIPS

What is ChIPS

ChIPS - What's it all about? - by Chantelle Baker

ChIPS is a program for 12-25 year olds living with Chronic Illness. The program was first developed over ten years ago, when a group of health professionals noticed that although focus was placed on treatment of a young person's symptoms, what was not being supported was the emotional impact, the feelings of isolation, anger and fear that are seen in a young person living with a chronic illness.

By the time a young person's illness has become chronic; that is that it has persisted for more than six months; frustration, anger and a sense of negative self worth can all be apparent. A chronic illness imposes on the routine of a young person's life, forcing them to miss out on many rite of passage events and opportunities, often leaving a young person feeling isolated and alien to the norms of adolescent life.

The ChIPS program re-installs a young person's confidence, making them feel accepted and breaking down the barriers that are raised for protection when a foreign circumstance arises. Though all of the young people attending the program live with varying forms of chronic illness, what is apparent is that all members are first and foremost, young people. Young people that may have extra priorities to other people their age but they still want to have fun and experience the realities of growing up. Most want to be given responsibility and all have dreams and aspirations for their futures.

ChIPS GROUP

ChIPS provides young people with a sense of accomplishment as they are supported and encouraged to move along through the tiers of the program. The ChIPS experience begins with The 8-Week Group. The group is facilitated by a health professional and a trained ChIPS peer leader, the duality of the two people work together to give rounded advice. Usually comprising of six to eight young people, topics prominent to those in the group at the time are discussed in an informal and supportive environment. Some of the topics that are explored within the group are the effect that chronic illness has on going to school, friendships, family relationships and how it feels to have an illness, to have to stay in hospital and attend regular doctor appointments.

Note: now taking referrals and queries for Term 3 and 4 groups, 2008. Call Kristen (9345 6616) or email your questions/details.

ChIP-ERS

After the completion of the 8-week group members are invited to participate in ChIPERS (Chronic Illness Peer Support, Education, Recreation and Social.) This aspect of the program gives members the opportunity to have some fun and form further friendships with people their own age; young people who understand the limitations and isolation that living with a chronic illness imposes. Social activities are scheduled for one day during the school holidays and there is also the annual camp, a favourite among ChIPERS, held over a weekend in January. Once a ChIPER, young people are kept informed on what is happening around ChIPS Land through the website, mailouts and articles in Chill, the ChIPS quarterly newsletter. There is also the Wrapper, the ChIPS annual magazine, which is designed, edited and produced by members of the Reference Committee, with contributions from committee members and ChIPERS.

See upcoming events page for details of socials and camps for 2008!

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Leadership Training is a wonderful opportunity available for ChIPERS. Over two days those interested are taught the essentials of what it takes to be an effective leader. Various workshops in developing effective communication skills, public speaking, group dynamics and team building activities help to increase confidence and self esteem.

Leadership Training for 2008 will be held in the July school holidays. Details will be on the website soon.

REFERENCE COMMITTEE

ChIPS empowers young people to be active in the community, to give their best, to realise their potential, that they are more than just a chronic illness. After completing leadership training ChIPERS have the opportunity to be part of the Reference Committee. The committee is made up of twenty young people who meet once a month to discuss issues apparent to the ChIPS community. The young people are divided into sub committees, either producing newsletters and designing and producing the magazine; organising social events and the Christmas party; planning the activities and choosing the site for the annual camp; being a part of the advocacy committee advocating to create awareness about what it's like to live with a chronic illness and about the ChIPS program; assisting in fundraising for the program and providing peer support to young people in the Royal Children's Hospital and in the ChIPS program. The decision making part of ChIPS is decided upon by the Reference Committee. The Reference Committee meets once a month for two hours at the Centre for Adolescent Health.

For dates and venues of Reference Group Meetings for 2008, please see below.

"ChIPS provides an open forum where young people can not only get together and have some fun but a place where they can experience compassion and empathy, be given endless opportunities and voice their thoughts, opinions, experiences and coping skills with other young people."

2008 Reference Group Meetings

Month	Date	Venue
Jan	-	-
Feb	Wed 13th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
March	Wed 12th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
April	Wed 9th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
May	Wed 14th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
June	Wed 11th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
July	Wed 9th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
August	Wed 13th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
September	Wed 10th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
October	Wed 8th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
November	Wed 12th, 5.45-8pm	RCH, 4th Floor, Seminar Rm 2
December	-	-

Volunteering for ChIPS

Are you interested in doing some volunteer work with ChIPS? Look here for more details. Are you still interested? Then complete the form and email to Kristen Kappel.

Advocacy Presentations

Would you like someone from ChIPS to come to your school or workplace to give a presentation about ChIPS or chronic illness? Look here for more details. Complete the expression of interest form and email to Kristen Kappel.

Last Updated 15-Apr-2008. Authorised by: Kristen Kappel. Enquiries: Kristen Kappel.