We’re recruiting Kaleidoscope Peer Support Group Facilitators!
To view the full volunteer position description for Facilitator, click here.
If you are interested in becoming a Peer Support Group Facilitator, please send your resume and cover letter to info@the-kaleidoscope.com, and come check out one of our groups (our current schedule is here).
For individuals who have personally benefited from attending Kaleidoscope groups, and want to give back while also gaining professional development skills, we offer the opportunity to become a facilitator.
Kaleidoscope is a peer-led mental health support group. It is essential to our core values that our facilitators identify as having lived experience of mental illness, and have attended the group regularly for at least two months.
It is important for our facilitators to be able to relate on some level to other members of the group. This helps foster a peer-to-peer relationship where everyone is on the same level.
By having prospective facilitators attend the group as participants, you can get a sense of our meeting structure, and observe the facilitator’s role. It also provides the time and space for us to get to know you, and you, us. We want to ensure sustainability and authenticity in our groups, creating an environment that supports the empowerment of our members.
Kaleidoscope Peer Support Group Facilitator
Reports to: Kaleidoscope Coordinator
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
For other volunteer opportunities, see our volunteer page, as well as our resource page for a list of other mental health-related organizations on campus and in the community who also may have volunteer opportunities.
