ChIPS is a vibrant peer support program for young people, by young people.          

The program offers a wide range of opportunities for members who are:

• 12 (and in high school) to 25 years of age.
• Living with a primary diagnosis of a chronic medical illness. 
• Able to attend an intake program, either an eight week group or a two day intensive.
• Ready and able to participate and function well in a group setting.

For more detailed referral criteria and to find out if the program is suitable for your young person please contact the ChIPS office on (03) 9345 6616.

Based at the Royal Children's Hospital (Department of Adolescent Medicine) in Melbourne, ChIPS works to engage young people from metropolitan and rural Victoria. The program has been running for over twenty-five years and is currently 100% philanthropically funded via The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To make a donation to ChIPS please contact The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation on (03) 9345 5037 or rch.foundation@rch.org.au

For more information check out our ChIPS brochure here

ChIPS offers:

Eight Week Group and Intensive intake programs

Eight Week Groups meet weekly for 1.5 hours and use music, art, games and discussion to explore living with a chronic illness. The Intensive groups use the same mediums and are held over two days in the school holidays, allowing young people who do not live close to RCH to attend. Each group contains approximately six to ten young people and is facilitated by ChIPS staff and senior ChIPS members.

Topics are participant directed and can include:

• Missing out and limitations

• Judgements

• Relationships  

• Hospital visits & medications

One ChIPS member said this about their experience of Eight Week Group:

"I thought that the eight week group was a great opportunity to open up to people other than your friends and family. At first I wasn't sure about what I should expose about myself, but then I got more confident and realised that they felt the same way about it. I was able to talk to them about pretty much anything."

Social activities

Approximately 3 or 4 times per year, and usually during school holidays, ChIPS members get together for socials. The socials are organised by the young people in the program so they get to choose what they are most interested in doing. Past socials have included mini golf, an MCG tour, a Master Chef cook off, going to the movies, circus skills training, visits to Science Works, bowling, and games and pizza nights.

Camps

Camps are a highlight on the ChIPS calendar! Twice a year our members can enjoy three days full of fun, challenges and laughter, with staff, volunteers and a complete medical team on board!

Leadership Training

Once a year CHIPS members explore the concept of leadership, learning more about things such as communication skills, public speaking, group dynamics, team building and other important life skills.

Peer Leader Program

Peer Leaders are an integral part of the ChIPS program and are chosen based on their warmth, empathy and respect for their fellow Chippers. Peer Leaders meet regularly throughout the year and are provided with leadership skills training to enable them to assist staff with facilitation at Eight Week Groups, Intensives, camps and socials.

Reference Committee

A key element of ChIPS is youth participation. The Reference Committee meets once a month for two hours and is comprised of a group of approximately twenty program members who want to actively contribute to the running of the program through providing ideas and feedback. Within the Reference Committee there are 5 sub-committees which are charged with organising socials, January camp, publications, fundraising and advocacy. Being part of Reference Committee is a great way to learn new skills and work as part of a team. 

Here is what one ChIPS member said about their experience:

"I am part of the ChIPS Reference Committee so I can give back to ChIPS what ChIPS has given me. Through the Reference Committee I get to help ChIPS function, as well as learning skills in leadership and teamwork. It is an amazing way to work towards a common goal with my friends that are in similar situation as myself."

Publications

Being a ChIPS member means you will be able to write, edit, contribute photos or illustrations, or just keep up to date with what is happening in the program through the ChIPS face book page, blog and annual Wrapper magazine.

Advocacy presentations

A component of the ChIPS Program is to inform the community about the impact that chronic illnesses have on young people's lives. The main avenue for raising awareness is through public speaking presentations. These involve ChIPS members sharing their story of having a chronic illness and their experiences within the ChIPS Program, along with an outline of the ChIPS Program structure, history and referral process.

ChIPS members also promote ChIPS directly to young people with chronic illnesses by regularly visiting wards at The Royal Children's Hospital.

If you would like more information on these presentations please contact the ChIPS Program Manager on (03) 9345 6616.