Ontario Health Team of Northumberland seeks volunteers for innovative new patient support program

Ontario Health Team of Northumberland seeks volunteers for innovative new patient support program

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY – Tuesday, September 28, 2021 - As part of preparations to launch an innovative new patient support program, the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland (OHT-N) is inviting community members interested in a fulfilling volunteer opportunity to attend upcoming training sessions.

The Volunteer Peer Support Program will, once launched, match trained volunteers with people in the community who require informal support, broadening their social network and assisting them to navigate and access the services they need. One of three priority projects undertaken by the OHT-N partnership of local health and community care providers, patients and caregivers, the Volunteer Peer Support Program is expected to begin accepting patient participants before the end of this year.

“A central focus for the OHT-N is improving patient and caregiver experience with health and community care services. We are therefore thrilled to be nearing the point of implementation with this new initiative,” states Trish Baird, Co-Chair of the OHT-N Collaboration Council and Executive Director of Community Care Northumberland – the organization overseeing this program in partnership with the 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. This model involves working with a participant to build an individualized team of support. This team – typically caregivers, friends and family – will help the participant address their unique needs and goals in areas such as housing, safety, finances, spirituality, social connection, recreation and more.

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

For the launch of the Volunteer Peer Support Program, the OHT-N is seeking 20-25 volunteers who are able to dedicate an average of 8 to 10 hours per month to the program. Community members who are interested in this opportunity are invited to attend the upcoming four-day training program:

When:

• October 28 and 29
• November 4 and 5

Where:

• Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
  
• Education Room
  
• 1301 Ontario Street, Cobourg
  

Training will be conducted in-person and with careful attention to 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.

Learn more about this volunteer opportunity, including how to register for the upcoming training by the deadline of Monday, October 18.

Community Care Northumberland anticipates accepting patient participants into the Volunteer Peer Support Program before the end of this year, however registrations are not accepted at this time. To learn more about whether this program is right for you, please visit our website or contact:

Kelly Peterson

Coordinator - Volunteer Peer Support Program
Community Care Northumberland
905-373-2998
k.peterson@commcare.ca