Ligstad introduces PeerCommunity Programme in Alberton

Ligstad’s PeerCommunity Programme has been designed for communities who need and want to rebuild and return to strength, health, self-determination, and successful self-reliance.

Ligstad Alberton started this programme on January 19 with 17 people and now the programme has six groups from the Alberton community.

According to Alida Jooste from Ligstad Alberton, PeerCommunity is a group of people who understand each other well because of the common experiences they share.

The programme uses the fundamentals of an evidence-based cognitive narrative approach called TIR, which can be taught to anyone who wishes to help themselves and others.

“Painful experiences and emotionally charged topics can often be resolved without medical interventions of any kind whatsoever and this programme focuses on giving the Alberton community a platform to get help regarding these topics.

“We equip people who have similar experiences with a system based on telling their stories, being heard and fully understood. We are seeing awesome life changes.

“Programme participants are resolving the impact of their trauma, making peace with the past and with themselves and others and they are finding that they can move on and live meaningful and productive lives,” said Jooste.

“As a social worker, working in the community and applying TIR as part of my practice, I was introduced to the PeerCommunity Programme and by Ardicare Foundation now known as LifeSpares through Turning the Tide of Trauma. I’ve fully aligned with every aspect that this programme is all about. I am looking forward to implementing the programme in the community I serve in Alberton,” explained Jooste.