Peer Support Facilitator
(Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network)
Opportunity Details: Peer Support Facilitator
| Contact | Amy Muhr, Volunteer Coordinator, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network; Phone: 888-303-7254; Email: pailvolunteer@sunnybrook.ca |
| Duties | As a Peer Support Volunteer, you will provide emotional support, empathy, and a listening presence to individuals and families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Drawing from your own lived experience, you’ll offer one-on-one or group-based support, helping others feel seen, heard, and less alone in their grief. Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Time Commitment: Flexible; typically 2–4 hours per month, with additional time for training and meetings as needed. |
| More Info Link | https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/volunteers/ |
| Benefits | There are many benefits to volunteering as a peer supporter. Here are three thoughtful benefits of being a peer support volunteer for individuals who have experienced a similar loss: 1. Healing Through Connection: Offering support to others who’ve experienced pregnancy or infant loss can bring a sense of meaning, healing, and purpose to your own journey. 2. Creating Community: Being part of a peer support network reduces isolation and helps you feel connected to others who truly understand this unique kind of grief. 3. Making a Difference: Even a single conversation can offer comfort, hope, or a sense of being seen—allowing you to have a lasting impact in someone else’s life during one of their hardest moments. |
| Clients | PAIL Network’s peer support programs are available at no cost to families and have been tailored to meet the specific needs of people grieving this type of loss. We are uniquely sensitive to the experiences surrounding pregnancy and infant loss because all of our trained peer support volunteers have lived experiences of pregnancy and infant loss. Our services are delivered in a variety of ways, including mixed group peer led support, loss specific online peer-led group support, and one-to-one telephone support. |
| Ages | 18 year(s) and up |
| Suitable for Highschool Credit Hours | No |
| Suitable For | Adults (18+) ; Seniors (55+) |
| Areas of Interest | Distress / Crisis / Bereavement Support ; Program Coordination / Support ; Support Group Facilitation |
| Skills/Experience | Communication & Interpersonal Skills ; Confidentiality ; Counseling & Support ; Dependability & Trustworthiness ; Friendly & Outgoing ; Leadership ; Listening Skills ; Patience ; Positive / Cheerful Demeanor ; Team Work |
| Commitment Length | Long Term (Minimum of 6 months) ; PAIL Network asks for a 2 year commitment from Peer Support Facilitators |
| Interaction Level | One-on-one ; Small Group ; Virtual Volunteering |
| Minimum Hours | 2.5 / Month |
| Dates and Times | Varying times depending on Peer Support role * Group Support 1.5-2 hour monthly support groups * Phone Support weekly 45 minute phone calls * Online varying weekly, bi-weekly and monthly online chats |
| Seasons | Year Round |
| Accessibility | Fully Accessible |
| Location | Durham Region and throughout Ontario |
| Number of Positions | Ajax ; Beaverton ; Bowmanville ; Brock ; Brooklin ; Cannington ; Clarington ; Courtice ; Durham Region ; Orono ; Oshawa ; Pickering ; Port Perry ; Scugog ; Uxbridge (Township of) ; Whitby 10 individual(s) needed in total. |
| Training | Orientation ; Training is provided - Provided at no cost * online, independent training * video conferencing orientation ; Training is required ; Training on-going - Training and education opportunities ; Peer Support volunteers are encouraged to participate in online team meetings and supervision calls as required. There are monthly opportunities for communication with fellow peer support facilitators and PAIL Network support staff by way of networking calls and online meetings |
| Transportation | Near public transit - For in person events and groups |
| Cost | There is no cost to volunteering with PAIL Network. |
| Police Check | Required |
| Additional Requirements | We invite you to visit our website to learn more about the meaningful volunteer opportunities we have available and to sign up for a live volunteer information session where we will talk about the volunteer opportunities and answer any questions you may have. This would be followed by completing a volunteer application online (or you can jump right to that step) and having a video interview to chat about your interest in volunteering and matching that with the meaningful volunteer roles that are available. Thank you again for your interest in volunteering with PAIL Network and for sharing your time with us. |
| Liability Insurance | Available |
Agency Details: Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network
| Office Phone | 1-888-303-PAIL (7245), Toll Free |
| Fax | 1-888-864-3785 |
| pailnetwork@sunnybrook.ca | |
| Website | pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca |
| Address & Map | |
| Mailing Address | Ontario, ON Canada L1N 2R4 |
