Support coaches

Usługa

Extremity amputation is a shock to both the body and the mind. People affected by loss of limb often struggle to live the life they had before the medical procedure. Their lives radically change, they often lose jobs or are forced to change carrrers. Most of them are unable to cope with activities of daily living, sometimes they even succumb to depression. Compared to other countries, the number of amputations in Poland is very high. According to the National Health Fund, almost 9,500 such procedures were performed in Poland in 2017 alone. At the same time, amputees have limited access to medical services they need. According to the data of the National Health Fund, in 2016 the waiting period for an appointment with a psychologist in Warsaw was 78 days, and for treatment at a rehabilitation center – 84 days.

The innovation 'Support Coaches' offers help to amputees who often struggle to live the life they had before the procedure, which negatively affects their mental health. Each project participant (mentee) receives support from a personal coach who can forge a meaningful relationship with the mentee and take an individual approach in each case. Coaches receive specialised training before meeting the person they would mentor. The coaches are amputees who understand difficulties and obstacles their mentees face as they have overcome similar problems in the past themselves. Not only do the coaches provide crucial psychological support, but they themselves are also living proof that amputees can live, work or play sports after the procedure. The coaches teach the amputees how to carry out activities of daily living, provide assistance in choosing the prosthesis, show how to get funding for its purchase or recommend reliable rehabilitation specialists. Their support is very valuable for amputees, as they have someone experienced at their side providing support in areas where neither the relatives nor the doctors are very helpful.

Direct recipients – people recovering from extremity amputations, spinal injuries Indirect recipients – families and relatives of amputees

NGOs supporting people with mobility impairments Social welfare institutions The State Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Hospitals and health centers Prosthetic workshops

A training programme to support coaches

Ten coaches received training in, among other things, employment assistance, psychological trauma, rehabilitation, motivation. 14 people took part in the programme and were supported by an individual mentor to adapt to their new situation. Amputees spoke highly of the innovation's impact and the coaches’ support on both their physical and mental health.

Tak

Coaches – people who themselves lost an arm or leg and are still active A person providing training to coaches

Space where training of the coaches will be carried out A programme for training the coaches

Podmiot prawny

Fundacja Poland Business Run

Kraków

Inkubator pomysłów [2020-23]