Bereavement Peer Support Volunteer
Help normalize the grieving process for a person struggling to cope with the death of a loved one.
As a Bereavement Peer Support Volunteer you provide a safe, non-judgmental space for the client to share their story and express their feelings. You will provide comfort and support, and assist the client to find meaning and heal. If needed, you can provide information and strategies they may find useful in learning to live with their loss.
Meetings with your client can take place in their home or in another mutually agreed upon location.
COVID-19 Precautions
Most visits are being conducted virtually to protect volunteers and clients.
Some outdoor, in-person, physically distanced visits will begin shortly, but only when both the volunteer and client and/or their family are comfortable with this type of visit.
Volunteers who choose to meet in-person will be provided with training on safety protocols and use of PPE.
Skills and Experience
- You have experienced a significant loss in your own life and are now able to support another
- Excellent active listener
- Compassionate and caring
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality
- Successful completion of our training course
Commitment
Training
24 hours of training, usually offered one afternoon a week for 8 weeks in spring and fall.
Next training course will be held virtually on Monday afternoons from 1:00pm-3:00pm beginning Monday, September 21, 2020 and running until Monday, November 30, 2020 (no class Monday, October 12th).
Apply online to join the next session.
Ongoing
1 hour per week, typically matched to your client for about 3 months
Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Clean police records check with vulnerable sector screening
- Two references
Living with Grief: Pat’s and Gail’s Story
Watch as Pat shares her story of learning to live again after the death of her daughter.
Should you require accommodation during the application process, please inform Fran Savelson at 905-827-8800 x2329 so we can ensure your equal participation.