Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
A program that helps seniors who are battling addictions has put the call out for volunteers.
Partners Seeking Solutions With Seniors is looking to refresh the Seniors Peer Helper Program, which launched in Brandon in 2008.
Interested volunteers are invited to an information session next Thursday at Riverheights Terrace.
“It provides a pretty easily accessible and alternate option for folks who are looking at recovery,” said PSSS program co-ordinator Lynn Crawford.
“It’s accessible because once they’re introduced to the peer, they get to set what the visiting is going to look like. Do they want to get together once a week, face to face or just talk on the phone initially?”
Volunteers help seniors recovering from alcohol, medication and gambling addictions.
They act as a friend, calling or visiting with the recovering individual at their convenience. The contact aims to ensure that the recovering senior does not feel alone.
Crawford said they are looking for people aged 55 and up and will provide a special training program. The volunteers often have their own addiction recovery behind them, but it’s also open to others who have an interest in working with seniors in this area.
“They do have the advantage of working with someone who has been through recovery themselves, there’s always that ability to check in with somebody who knows how difficult it is,” Crawford said. “I think it provides an opportunity to get to the truth of things, one to one, because … isolation really is one of the hallmarks of addiction.”
The information meeting will be held on Sept. 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“We’ll provide information about the peer training, what it’s all about, and describe what the volunteer commitment is like, once the training is done,” Crawford said.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for folks who are looking for different volunteer opportunities. This one gives back as much as it asks.”
Training takes place in October at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba office. The four-week training will run in 2.5-hour sessions twice a week.
For more information, call Olivia at 204-729-3858.
» jaustin@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition September 7, 2012
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A program that helps seniors who are battling addictions has put the call out for volunteers.
Partners Seeking Solutions With Seniors is looking to refresh the Seniors Peer Helper Program, which launched in Brandon in 2008.
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A program that helps seniors who are battling addictions has put the call out for volunteers.
Partners Seeking Solutions With Seniors is looking to refresh the Seniors Peer Helper Program, which launched in Brandon in 2008.
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