This project is designed to increase the capability and capacity of ESA to reach patient populations, especially those in rural and remote areas who need support. ESA will recruit, train and equip team members to effectively facilitate peer support meetings and use ESA support programs and resources effectively, bringing relief to Australians impacted by this ...
Hands To Hold Ltd Trading As Eczema Support Australia
Enhancing ESA’s Capacity for Patient Support in Eczema Communities
GOAL
$80,000
Australia > National / Multi-state > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
- Individual/family services and support
Target Population
- People with a disability, illness or disease
- General population
Hands To Hold Ltd Trading As Eczema Support Australia
Eczema Support Australia (ESA) is a patient support, not for profit charity with DGR. Founded in 2016, ESA was inspired by a family with twin boys who have severe allergies and eczema and, hence, through their lived experience, ESA understands the challenges of chronic eczema. As a trusted information partner of HealthDirect, and a member of The Quality Use Of Medicines Alliance, our vision is for all Australians living with eczema to overcome difficulties and thrive in their community through connection, information and advocacy. These three pillars guide ESA: – to connect those affected by eczema to others to reduce feelings of isolation. – to inform and educate those affected by eczema to successfully manage their condition. – to advocate for practical support to improve the lives of Australians affected by eczema.
*Studies show that eczema has a greater impact on quality of life (Burden of Disease) than cancer, asthma, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and clinical depression. It is a chronic, often debilitating condition affecting over 2.8 million Australians, with children disproportionately impacted; 1 in 3 children under 6 and 1 in 5 children aged 6–14. For many, this is not a temporary childhood condition; moderate to severe eczema often persists into adulthood and requires lifelong management and ongoing treatments. Eczema Support Australia's report (*ESA National Strategy, 2023) highlights the urgent need for dedicated support and resources to help Australian families to manage their skin condition from an early age.
Project Summary
This project is designed to increase the capability and capacity of ESA to reach patient populations, especially those in rural and remote areas who need support. ESA will recruit, train and equip team members to effectively facilitate peer support meetings and use ESA support programs and resources effectively, bringing relief to Australians impacted by this chronic condition.
Our key components are:
- Team Recruitment & Training; Recruit, interview and onboard dedicated Eczema Support Officers.
- Develop and deliver targeted training for existing and new ESA team members.
- Peer support meeting organisation, facilitation and effective communication strategies.
- Inbound patient enquiries management and hand over.
- System for curated/facilitated sessions with participation of relevant panel experts and regional health experts.
- Effective use of ESA support programs and resources.
Eczema Support Australia’s report (*ESA National Strategy, 2023) highlights the urgent need for dedicated resources to help families and especially, children, to manage their skin condition from an early age. The early intervention and management of this chronic and most prevalent skin condition in Australia is paramount and increases quality of life for those impacted, allowing them to thrive in their community. There is a significant health economic cost benefit for the early treatment of eczema.
Project Outcomes
This project will directly enhance the reach and quality of ESA’s patient support initiatives, ensuring that patients and carers, particularly in underserviced rural and remote regions. Patients will have access to critical support and resources through fully trained ESA Patient Support Officers (PSOs).
The PSO’s will know how to:
A. Organise and facilitate peer support meetings
B. Use effective communication strategies
C. Manage inbound patient enquiries and hand over.
D. Facilitate sessions with participation of relevant panel experts and regional health experts.
E. Effectively use ESA support programs and resources (please see the list below).
ESA Programs and Resources :-
We are continually growing our support services. Below are some examples:
1. ESA Website
2.ESA Eczema Care Online
3.ESA Eczema Care Plan
4.ESA Resource Library including Eczema Factsheets, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Eczema Resources, CALD Resources, Multi-Lingual Resources.
5. ESA Eczema Unfiltered Videos
6. ESA Life Stories
7. ESA Practical Parenting for Eczema Families
8. ESA Teenage Eczema
9. ESA Eczema School Kit
10. ESA Online Courses: Eczema Empowerment: Building Self-Esteem & Mental Wellbeing / Eczema Awareness for Psychologists /
Eczema Awareness for Educators
11. ESA Facebook Closed Groups: Teenagers with Eczema / Adults with Eczema / Eczema Support Australia Families Group /Hand Eczema Australia Group
12. ESA advocacy campaigns and activities
13. ESA 1300 ECZEMA support line
14. ESA support and peer group meetings
15. ESA Psychology Program for up to (3 subsidised sessions)
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $80,000
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Recruitment, Training, Implementation, Awareness & Promotional Campaigns, Resource Creation, Roll Out | $80,000 |
Support Hands To Hold Ltd Trading As Eczema Support Australia
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