Peer support activities for people with special needs and their families

In peer support activities, people who share similar experiences can meet and talk together. At Tärsky, peer support is offered for example in discussion groups and meetings, where participants share thoughts, feelings, and everyday experiences. In these groups, you can talk about your own life, listen to others, and get tips on how to deal with different situations.

Through peer support, you gain the opportunity to be heard and understood, receive encouragement and support for daily life, find hope for the future, and feel that you are not alone with your challenges.

You can join these groups if you are looking for someone to talk to, want to share your own experiences, or need support. Everyone can participate in their own way – you can talk as much or as little as you want, or simply listen. The most important thing is being together and knowing that in the group, everyone is accepted as they are.

Ikävirkut
Ikävirkut is a group for people with intellectual disabilities over the age of 60 in the Turku area. The group focuses on supporting an active and healthy lifestyle for older participants. It provides support for everyday life, opportunities to spend time together, and a chance to share experiences, joys, and concerns with others in a similar situation.

Each meeting has its own theme, around which the program is built. The group is organized by Turun seudun Kehitysvammaisten Tuki ry, and the meetings are held at Tärsky meeting place. There are two Ikävirkut groups, which take turns meeting every other week.

Erityiset emot
At Tärsky meeting place, a parent peer group is organized in cooperation with Leijonaemot ry. The group is open to all parents of children with special needs, regardless of their child’s diagnosis.

The group provides a safe space to talk about everyday life, share experiences, and receive support from other parents in similar situations. Together, participants also explore practical solutions and ways to help children with special needs live as fulfilling and individual lives as possible.

The group meets once a month at meeting place Tärsky.
Ikävirkut
Registrations for Ikävirkut can be made to Merja Ketola by email or phone.
When registering, please provide your contact details and let us know if you require transport by service taxi to the group.

Erityiset emot
For registration and more information about the group, please contact Outi Yli-Heikkilä.