By Cecilia Nasmith

The Ontario Health Team-Northumberland is inviting members of the community who might be interested in volunteering to be part of an innovative new patient-support program to a series of upcoming training sessions.

The Volunteer Peer Support Program is designed to match these trained volunteers with people in the community who require informal support to broaden their social network and assist them in navigating and accessing the services they need.

This is one of three priority partnerships undertaken by the OHT-N – a partnership of local health- and community-care providers, patients and caregivers – and it is expected to begin accepting patient participants by year's end.

“A central focus for the OHT-N is improving patient and caregiver experience with health- and community-care services,” said OHT-N Collaboration Council Co-chair Trish Baird – who is also Executive Director of Community Care Northumberland, the organization overseeing this program in partnership with OHT-N.

“The Volunteer Peer Support Program will initially serve older adults experiencing persistent complex problems and conditions, who may have difficulty navigating and accessing the supports available to them in the community. Volunteers will work together with participants and, as appropriate, their caregivers to help them get the most out of local services.”

Volunteers will be trained in a specific method of support called High-Fidelity WrapAround, a model which involves working with a participant to build an individualized team of support – typically caregivers, friends and family members. This team will help the participant address his or her unique needs and goals in such areas as housing, safety, finances, spirituality, social connection and recreation.

“The Volunteer Peer Support Program will empower participants to have a voice and choice in planning the care and support they require to live a full life,” OHT-N Experience Partner Council Co-chair Scott Macpherson added.

“The intention is to keep people in their homes and sustain their involvement in the community by increasing their capacity for self-care. This program will be an important step forward in achieving improved health outcomes in our community.”

To launch the program, the OHT-N hopes to recruit 20 to 25 volunteers who can dedicate an average of eight to 10 hours a month to the program. Anyone interested in this opportunity is invited to attend the upcoming four-day training program – Oct. 28 and 29 and Nov. 4 and 5 in the Education Room at Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre (1301 Ontario St., Cobourg).

Training will be conducted in person and in compliance with all COVID-19 public-health precautions (including masking and physical distancing). Interested volunteers must also demonstrate proof of vaccination upon arrival at the first day of training, prior to entry.

If you are interested, please register by Monday, Oct. 18 at www.OHTNorthumberland.ca/en/ohtn/volunteer-peer-support-program.aspx.

Community Care Northumberland also anticipates accepting participants into the program by the end of this year, though registrations are not being accepted at this time. To learn more about whether this program may be right for you, visit the OHT-N website or contact Volunteer Peer Support Program Coordinator Kelly Peterson (905-373-2998 or k.peterson@commcare.ca