March of Dimes Canada (After Stroke Peer Support Volunteer)

Organization Name: March of Dimes Canada
Opportunity Title: After Stroke Peer Support Volunteer
Category: Social and Community Service
Commitment: Ongoing Opportunity (> 1 year)
Start Date: July 26, 2023
End Date: July 31, 2025

Email: shenry@marchofdimes.ca
Website: https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca
Details:

• Background/police check requiredAppropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55Training or orientation required

Opportunity Description:

Calling all stroke survivors in Newfoundland! We are looking for 1:1 peer support volunteers across the province to volunteer in local hospitals.

The After Stroke Peer Volunteer Program connects new stroke survivors or caregivers with peer volunteers who are stroke survivors or caregivers. The volunteers who support the program have a lived experience of the effects of a stroke, and utilize their experience to provide hope, encouragement, and emotional support to people who are beginning the recovery process.

Tasks and Responsibilities

 

Initiate and lead one-to-one conversations with patients in a respectful, calm, and supportive manner
Encourage patients to participate and engage in conversation
Share their stroke journey and provide hope and encouragement
Respect the nature and extent to which patients engage
Record and report volunteer hours and number visits to MODC Volunteer Engagement coordinator monthly
Report any urgent concerns regarding the patient’s that arise during the visit (emotional and physical health) to hospital unit staff and MODC Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
Will debrief with Volunteer Engagement Coordinator on a regular basis or when needed
Introduce MODC After Stroke personalized case management program and community-based peer support programs
Utilize the resource “Your Stroke Journey” by the Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada to stimulate conversation
More details specific to the task are explained in the volunteer training manual

Time Commitment:  2-3 hours per week.

Length of Term:  Minimum 1-year commitment

Location:  Newfoundland & Labrador

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Strong interpersonal skills (preferred)
Reliable (required)
Self-directed; able to work independently (required)
Able to follow direction (required)
Able to demonstrate a positive attitude (required)
Be aware of the boundaries of your role and use supervision to clarify when uncertainties arise (required)
Respects and values, cultural diversities, the opinions, and ideas of others (required)
Ability to demonstrate, inform, and share your knowledge based on your lived experience and by using evidence informed document “Your Stroke Journey” with the new stroke survivors and their families about stroke (required)
Must be over 18 years of age
Must be a stroke survivor (12 months minimum since stroke occurred) or a caregiver for someone who has had a stroke (required)

Benefits of the Position

 

Opportunity to receive training from MODC
Gain experience and develop greater understanding of stroke rehabilitation
Opportunity to have a positive impact on those who have been affected by stroke
Opportunity to develop and strengthen your communication skills
Participate as a valued volunteer of March of Dimes Canada and of assigned hospital

Screening Level:  High – Working directly with vulnerable sectors of the population