Amputees Supporting Amputees

Volunteer Visitor peer support is a free, non-clinical service available to amputees across the UK. 

Our trained Volunteer Visitors – who are amputees themselves – share their own lived experience with those who have had or are about to have an amputation. 

Visits typically last around 1 hour and are currently delivered by phone or virtually. They provide the opportunity to gain practical advice and information from an experienced volunteer who can help answer any questions you may have in relation to limb loss.

Peer support is time-limited and topic-focused and, therefore, typically provided through 1-2 visits. After this, our Service Support team will discuss the other LA support and services available to you.

Watch our video to find out more about the Volunteer Visitor service.

Volunteer Visitors are amputees and members of the Limbless Association. Our volunteers are at least two years post-amputation and are happy to share their experience of limb loss, supporting individuals either pre- or post-amputation.

Our Volunteer Visitors have a unique insight and can provide support, advice, and listen to your concerns on the everyday issues you may be facing. They can share their lived experience to support and guide newer amputees on a range of practical topics.

All our volunteers undergo an Enhanced DBS check, receive essential training as well as have access to a range of development opportunities in their roles.

Becoming an amputee can be challenging. Then, as life evolves, other situations and questions can occur.  The support of health professionals and loved ones is invaluable, but sometimes you just need to talk to someone else who has been there – someone who instantly understands.  

The aim of the visit is to answer your questions relating to limb loss and give you practical advice from someone with lived experience as an amputee who really understands your challenges and goals.

Volunteers are not counsellors or clinicians but can help you by discussing topics such as day-to-day life with limb loss, recovery, prostheses, aids and adaptations, clothing, limb care, or getting back to sports and hobbies. Through the VV programme, we aim to help everyone accessing the service to feel better informed, supported and connected to the limb loss community, and to help reduce any stress or anxiety in relation to living with limb loss.

There are many benefits to peer support which include:

• Emotional support from someone who has had a similar experience

• Practical information about life as an amputee

• Support from someone outside of clinical services 

• Positive role models who can show empathy and understanding of challenges faced.

The VV service offers support both pre- and post-amputation. If you are pre-amputation or considering elective surgery, then the VV service is here to support you. Whether you wish to talk with an amputee who has had elective surgery themselves, would like to speak with an amputee about day-to-day life with limb loss or have other questions you would like to ask in advance of surgery or whilst considering elective surgery. The service is offered free of charge and is here to complement clinical services by having the opportunity to speak to someone with lived experience as an amputee.

The Volunteer Visitor service can be accessed whenever it is needed: pre- amputation, in the early stages of rehabilitation or later on in an individual’s limb loss journey. 

An amputee can request a visit and we also accept referrals from relatives, friends or professionals. When a referral is made, we will always need consent from the person wishing to access the service.

A request/referral for a Volunteer Visit can be made:

• Through this website – Complete an online referral form above.

• Through our Helpdesk – Contact our Services Support Team on freephone 0800 644 0185 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm) or email support@limbless-association.org

• By post – Contact our Services Support Team (contact details above) and we will post a printed form to you.

The form is easy to complete – please contact our Services Support Team if you do need any help. We aim to respond to all new referrals within two days.