Peer Support is a helping process designed to support and enhance the social and mental well-being of individuals who are facing life transitions and challenges.
Peer Support services address these needs for aging adults and seniors by providing confidential, no-cost, one-to-one support with the help of trained volunteers – the peer support volunteers.
Who Are the Peer Support Volunteers?
The Peer Support Volunteers are volunteers 55 years and older who are interested in the well-being of aging adults in the Century House community. Peer Support volunteers are good listeners. Their personal experience and the training they receive enables them to better understand the problems and needs of the senior they are helping.
The Peer Support Volunteers are there to offer:
- Listening and emotional support
- Empathy and guidance
- Information and outreach
- Exploration of possibilities
- Assistance in setting goals
If you or someone you know could benefit from the Peer Support services at Century House, please contact us today.
Call for information: 604-519-1064 ext. 1 or 778-882-2472
Seniors want to help themselves.
They generally seek out their peers for help when they are experiencing frustration, concerns, worry, or other problems.
A peer counselor genuinely cares and is willing to listen to seniors as they talk about their thoughts and feelings. A peer counselor will use well developed communication skills to help encourage self exploration.
The function of a senior peer counselor is to assist in the smooth transition of a senior to a new experience, to work toward a goal of independence, to enable seniors to enjoy a sense of well-being, and to become an active member of the community.
Peer support volunteers will:
- Maintain confidentiality
- Respect personal boundaries, values and beliefs
- not judge or give advice
- empower clients with self-awareness
- explore options to address needs
- empower clients to find their own solutions
- offer community connections and resources
Volunteer Opportunities
We offer volunteer training on an ongoing basis. Senior peer counselors are volunteers 50 years and older who are interested in the well-being of aging adults in their community. Volunteering as a senior peer counselor is meaningful and rewarding. All applicants are carefully screened before being excepted into our extensive training course. A professional counselor trains and supervises all senior peer counselors. Volunteers effectively assist peers to address situations that, left unattended, can lead to emotional deterioration.
For more information or to donate please call or email 604-519-1064 or email info@chspc.ca
If you would like to know more about how Senior Peer Counselling can assist you or a loved one please call or email info@chspc.ca.
Century House Senior Peer Counselling is a self-supporting program that receives no government funding. We rely solely on private donations. The program has provided this invaluable service to over 1000 seniors in New Westminster since inception at Century House 30 years ago.
If you would like to meet to discuss funding opportunities or receive a package with more details please call or email info@chspc.ca
Century House Peer Support
620 Eighth Street,
New Westminster, BC V3M 3S2
T: (604) 519-1064
W: https://www.chspc.ca
E: info@chspc.ca
Webmaster: admin@chspc.ca
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