Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region (BFO) is currently accepting applications for its fall facilitator training session with the goal of filling an urgent need for volunteers for its programs for parents grieving the death of an infant and parents grieving the death of a child.
“As a peer support facilitator, your grief experience can bring hope and healing to someone else. Hearing experiences, stories and coping strategies from a peer has a profound effect on people who are grieving and helps normalize the grief experience. You get it. You’ve been there,” said Jaime Bickerton, BFO executive director.
BFO offers peer support programs for families and individuals who are grieving the death of a loved one.
It currently runs a program for parents grieving the death of an infant, parents grieving the death of a child and a drop-in program called Living with Loss for adults grieving the death of a loved one.
These programs are all facilitated by volunteers who are themselves bereaved.
In addition, BFO offers a professionally-led program called Healing Little Hearts for children ages 4 to 7.
All of its programs are offered free of charge in the community.
The important thing to remember, says Bickerton, is that as a peer facilitator, volunteers aren’t expected to be grief experts.
“Peer support means bringing empathy and understanding. We encourage our volunteers to trust their gut, their heart and their personal experience,” she said. “You aren’t expected to have all the answers or to ‘fix’ anyone. As a facilitator you bring your experience into group, encourage conversation, dialogue and an exploration of thoughts, feelings and emotions. You help others share their story and understand they are not alone.”
During the four-day training program, grief theory and the grieving process, BFO group structure and facilitation skills and exercises are covered.
Individuals will complete the training with a strong understanding of peer support, and gain the skills and confidence required to facilitate individuals in a group setting.
Registration required
Registration is required and all applicants will participate in an interview.
The deadline for applications is Sept. 30.
BFO’s four-day training program will be held in Kitchener on Nov. 3 from 6 to 9pm, Nov. 4 from 9am to 4pm, Nov. 5 from 9am to 4pm and Nov. 8 from 6 to 9pm.
For more information, or to register contact the office at 519-603-0196, email support@bfomidwest.org or visit www.bfomidwest.org/home/volunteer/facilitate.
