Volunteer Support Group Facilitator

(Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario)

Position ID: V-GRE0020
Last Modified: 02 Nov 2023
Last Full Update: 02 Nov 2023

Opportunity Details: Volunteer Support Group Facilitator

Contact Heather Galloway, Community Engagement Coordinator, Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario; Phone: 519-652-9437 ext. 2; Email: heather.galloway@psso.ca
Duties

The facilitator will:

  • Support the goals of PSSO in local communities with an emphasis on providing
    information and fellowship for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.
  • Attend ongoing training/education and Community of Practice meetings provided
    by PSSO to increase their knowledge about Parkinson’s disease and to enhance
    their skills as a facilitator.
  • Ensure all public notices for the group contain the group information, PSSO logo,
    and a reference to the group being a program of PSSO.
  • Provide PSSO with updated group lists, including names, addresses, telephone
    numbers, and email addresses regularly.
  • Provide an attendance record (First & Last Name of each participant) to PSSO
    immediately following each group session. This will be submitted using the
    volunteer portal “My Impact Page.”
  • Document all hours of volunteering using the volunteer portal “My Impact Page,”
    which should include all time spent each month planning as well as group
    facilitation.
  • Notify PSSO of any important information immediately as it pertains to the overall
    group or specific client participants (questions, resources, health changes, death in
    the family, etc.)

The facilitator works with the group to:

  • Act in accordance with the Volunteer Code of Conduct (see page 12)
  • Define the role and emphasize that the facilitator is not an expert in all things.
  • Conduct group meetings in a caring, respectful, and compassionate manner.
  • Promote the value of empowerment, encouraging individuals to be involved in
    making decisions about their own care.
  • Establish, with input from group participants, a list of ground rules and goals for the
    group and review the list with the group on a regular basis.
  • Foster an opportunity for people to interact with others dealing with similar health
    concerns and facilitate the sharing of their experience living with Parkinson’s.
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  • Encourage group members to participate in PSSO programs, education events, and
    fundraising events.
  • Invite group participants to connect with PSSO staff and programs as necessary.
  • Welcome and introduce new participants to the group, explain group guidelines
    such as confidentiality and help them connect with other group participants.

Group Interaction & Communication
The facilitator will: 

  • Ensure group participants are educated about and adhere to the confidentiality
    policy.
  • Moderate the discussions in the group to ensure that all participants have an equal
    opportunity to share if they wish. This may require the facilitator to enhance their
    skills to ensure that participants that are talkative do not monopolize the
    discussion. Gently redirect attention to less vocal participants.
  • Encourage a balance in discussions by encouraging the group to consider
    constructive solutions when negative issues are being addressed. Although there
    will be times when participants need to freely express and share their feelings, even
    if their tone seems negative.
  • Remind the group that the symptoms, treatment, and progression of Parkinson’s
    are unique to each person, so others’ experiences may be different from one’s own.
  • Strive to present information and encourage discussion that is honest while at the
    same time promotes a feeling of optimism.
  • Remind participants to adopt a “consumers beware” approach to any information
    shared in the group and do their own research or speak with a medical professional
    before acting.
More Info Link https://psso.ca/
Clients People with Parkinson's Disease and care partners
Areas of Interest Community Outreach ; Senior's Activity Support ; Social Interaction ; Support Group Facilitation
Skills/Experience Communication & Interpersonal Skills ; Confidentiality ; Dependability & Trustworthiness ; Friendly & Outgoing ; Leadership ; Listening Skills ; Patience ; Planning & Organizing ; Positive / Cheerful Demeanor
Commitment Length Medium Term (4 months to 1 year) ; Long Term (More than 1 year)
Interaction Level Small Group ; Large Group
Accessibility Unknown
Number of Positions Meaford: 1 individual(s) 
 
1 individual(s) needed in total.
Training Orientation ; Training is provided
Police Check Required
Start Date On or after 23 Oct 2023

Agency Details: Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario

Office Phone 519-652-9437
Toll Free Phone 1-888-851-7376
Fax 519-652-9267
E-Mail info@parkinsonsociety.ca
Website www.parkinsonsociety.ca
Address & Map
4096 Meadowbrook Dr, Unit 123
London, ON N6L 1G4