Peer Support School Starting in January

Jan 8, 2020

Peer support is rooted in the knowledge that hope is the starting point from which a journey of recovery must begin.

FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta, December 4, 2019 – CMHA Wood Buffalo’s Recovery College is looking for those interested in sharing their story of recovery to help others in their recovery journey.

“We are always searching for individuals and family members from diverse backgrounds to be a part of our peer support movement. Begin by attending CMHA’s Wood Buffalo School of Peer Support. You can learn to use your lived experience with mental health and/or addiction issues to support your community and make a difference.” – Angela Betts, School Manager of Peer Support and Welcome Centre, Recovery College.

CMHA Wood Buffalo’s Recovery College, is education-based approach which focuses on helping people recognize and develop their own resourcefulness and awareness in order to support themselves or their loved one’s recovery journey

Canadian Mental Health will provide 70 hours of free training and 50 hours of paid internship and opportunity to connect to the Peer Supporter Community of Practice. Those interested in peer support can use their newly gained skills to support others one-on-one, through groups or as ambassadors and educators.

Course training and materials covered will involve exploring insights into how good relationships require the use of effective communication tools and skills. Teaching will assist you with tools to look at who are you now, identify who you hope to become, and what you need to do.

“I started with Recovery College as a student in April 2019. I have taken every course which lead me to Peer School and into the role of a Peer Support Worker. Instead of only focusing on myself, now I can focus on listening to others. Recovery College has changed my life, it has given me hope for change and better things to follow. Being a Peer Support Worker allow me to feel productive and confidence in my life choices now and into my future.” – Anji, Recovery College Peer Supporter.

Mandatory Course to become a trained Recovery Peer Supporter starts with Art of Friendship as outlined below:

Art of Friendship: Tuesdays, January 14^th – March 3, 2020 from 1:30pm – 3:30pm OR 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Location: Recovery College, Suite #111 – 8530 Manning Avenue.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

You will have a lived experience of being on a personal recovery journey or experience in supporting a family or loved one.
Comfortable sharing your story or recovery with others;
Available to complete 70 hours of training and a 50 hour internship over 5 months;
Familiarity with peer support and have a deep commitment and understanding of the recovery model.

Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining why you may be a good fit to be a Peer Supporter to Angela Betts, [email protected].

Find course and registration information at recoverycollegewoodbuffalo.ca