Kaleidoscope is recruiting volunteers! Please send resume and cover letter to tracy.kaleidoscope@gmail.com with the position title as the subject.
Kaleidoscope Peer Support Group Facilitator
Hours per Week: 2-5
Position Purpose:
Kaleidoscope support groups are the cornerstones of the mission of the Kaleidoscope mental health society. It is essential to our core values that our facilitators identify as having lived experience with mental health concerns.
Facilitators ensure everyone has a chance to have their ideas and feelings expressed in group. They keep group discussion moving in a direction that is sensitive to the group member’s wishes. Facilitators maintain a safe space and follow the group guidelines, so attendees feel heard and respected.
Kaleidoscope facilitators are not trained professionals, and they do not give medical advice.
Your Key Contributions:
- Contribute to discussion, encourage participation and ensure group guidelines are followed during the support groups.
- Provide additional support to individuals who need immediate assistance after group (e.g. accompany attendees to counselling services).
- Connect with co-facilitator before group to arrange snacks
- Debrief with group co-facilitator after group, forwarding any concerns that may have arisen during group to Kaleidoscope’s Faculty Liaison.
- Keep all identifying information confidential (pending limits to confidentiality).
- Exercise facilitation, suicide prevention and active listening skills.
- Coordinate snacks for group with co-facilitators.
- Link attendees with mental health professionals and other community services, as needed.
- Attend ongoing facilitator meetings and training sessions.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Identification with lived experience with mental health concerns is required for this peer support position.
- Model hope and encourage others in their recovery.
- Willingness to share aspects of personal lived experience
- Openness to others’ perspectives of mental health and the various treatments that are available
- Familiarity with other resources on UBC campus and in the community.
- Maintain a regular self-care practice and assert healthy boundaries.
- Active listening and empathic response skills an asset.
- Suicide Prevention Training (QPR, SafeTalk, ASIST) and Mental Health First Aid certification an asset.
Anticipated Skill and Knowledge Acquisition:
- Gain listening skills that are transferable across many areas of life
- Receive training in skills related to support group facilitation, including free or low-cost suicide prevention training and Mental Health First Aid
- Practical experience supporting individuals struggling with mental health, including mental health crisis response
- Gain an understanding of peer support values and how it may differ from other approaches
- Develop an understanding of the mental health resources at UBC, as well as across Greater Vancouver and B.C.
- Opportunity to develop mentorship and team building skills
- Networking opportunities with staff, students and volunteers at UBC and in the wider community
Kaleidoscope Mental Health Support Society Grant Writer
Hours per Month: 5-10
Position Purpose:
The role of the Grant Writer is to oversee the grant application process in order to secure funding for Kaleidoscope’s operations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Search for funding opportunities for which Kaleidoscope is appropriate
- Draft up responses for grant questions
- Create Excel spreadsheets for finances
- Attend monthly Volunteer Committee meetings
Qualifications and Experience:
- Basic knowledge of Word, Excel and Microsoft Office in general
- Interest in learning about mental health initiatives at UBC, in Vancouver and across B.C.
- Maintain a regular self-care practice
- Grant writing experience is an asset for this position
- Although not required, self-identification of experience with a mental health or substance use issue, or second-hand experience through a loved one, is considered an asset for this position
Anticipated Skill and Knowledge Acquisition:
- Develop an understanding of the mental health resources at UBC, in Vancouver and B.C.
- Mentorship and team building skills
- Networking opportunities with staff, students and volunteers at UBC
Kaleidoscope Mental Health Support Society Social Media Contributor
Hours per Month: 5-10
Position Purpose:
The role of the Social Media Contributor is to oversee the Twitter, Facebook and other related mediums to assist Kaleidoscope in promoting our groups, including notifying of any cancellations, networking with other mental health initiatives and connecting to their social media platforms, and sharing relevant posts to our social media pages.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and manage promotion and networking on Kaleidoscope’s social media pages
- Attend monthly Volunteer Committee meetings
Qualifications and Experience:
- Proficient and interested in engaging with social media platforms
- Interest in learning about mental health initiatives at UBC, in Vancouver and across B.C.
- Maintain a regular self-care practice
- Graphic design experience an asset
- Although not required, self-identification of experience with a mental health or substance use issue, or second-hand experience through a loved one, is considered an asset for this position
Anticipated Skill and Knowledge Acquisition:
- Develop an understanding of the mental health resources at UBC, in Vancouver and B.C.
- Mentorship and team building skills
- Networking opportunities with staff, students and volunteers at UBC
Kaleidoscope Mental Health Support Society Promotions and Fundraising Volunteer
Hours per Week: 5-6
Position Purpose:
The role of the Promotions Volunteer is to oversee in-person promotion of Kaleidoscope. This includes, but is not limited to, networking with campus & community partners, organizing and booking booths for information sessions at UBC and community events.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Set up, staff, and take down information booth at UBC events
- Develop and manage fundraising activities at UBC
- Attend monthly Volunteer Committee meetings
Qualifications and Experience:
- Keen interest in learning about mental health initiatives at UBC, in Vancouver and across B.C.
- Maintain a regular self-care practice
- Leadership and team-building skills an asset
- Although not required, self-identification of experience with a mental health or substance use issue, or second-hand experience through a loved one, is considered an asset for this position
Anticipated Skill and Knowledge Acquisition:
- Develop an understanding of the mental health resources at UBC, in Vancouver and B.C.
- Mentoring and team building skills
- Networking opportunities with staff, students and volunteers at UBC