Peer Support
What is peer support?
Peer support refers to help and assistance that is given to you by someone like you. Someone who shares a similar set of experiences. In this case, it means someone who is bereaved. Peers are not professionally trained counselors or therapists; they are people like you who have experienced a death in their family and are on a similar journey of “learning to live with” their grief.
Peer support groups are safe and supportive spaces to work through your grief, to share and to listen. They are places where those who’ve experienced a loss can connect with others who have experienced a similar loss. Peers help reduce the isolation that many people experience in grief and provide hope that healing is possible.
Components of peer support:
holding space
communication
honesty
inclusivity
self-awareness
adaptability
healthy autonomy
Our peer support groups are facilitated by highly trained volunteers who have lost a loved one and want to help others heal.
Here at Bereaved Families of Ontario - South Central Region, our programs are inclusive of all people and open to everyone in the community.
what does it mean to hold space?
It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they are on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact an outcome. When we HOLD SPACE for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control.
- Heather Plett
We are here for you.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.
Email: programming@bfoscr.com
Phone: 905-318-0070