The Comox Valley Senior Peer Counselling Society (CVSPC) is conducting a volunteer orientation session Oct. 3 for retired seniors living in the Comox Valley over the age of 50 who would like to volunteer some of their time assisting other seniors in our community.
Following this session, selected candidates will be offered the opportunity to participate in a volunteer training course that will be offered in a group setting from Oct. 15 to 18 in Comox.
There is no cost to the volunteer for this training. Donations or gifts-in-kind are welcome to assist with costs.
Topics include self-awareness, communication and listening skills, values, goal setting, mental health and community resources for seniors. Training also stresses the need to be cognizant of the little things that can help someone feel that life is still full of value and meaning.
Men and women volunteers are needed with a willingness to learn and the ability to listen to seniors share their stories.
Upon completion of your training you would be joining a group of about 50 other senior peer volunteers who are a dedicated group of men and women volunteering their time to meet with other seniors who have connected with our organization seeking peer support.
Clients are most often facing a challenging change related to the aging process that they feel would be assisted by a trained peer volunteer meeting with them for about one hour a week for three to six months.
Adapting to retirement, health and lifestyle changes, loss of a loved one, isolation, loneliness, early-stage dementia or stress are some of the issues clients face.
Sometimes a weekly visit from a peer volunteer, who brings hope and a ray of sunshine into someone’s life, can make all the difference.
CVSPC plans to offer volunteer orientation and training twice a year.
Space is limited for the orientation and training sessions. For more information or if you would like to join these October sessions, phone 250-890-0099 before Sept. 24.
For more information, visit www.cvspc.wordpress.com.
— Comox Valley Senior Peer Counselling Society