"[The best thing was] the acknowledgement that family members can give and receive help from other family members—We have something valuable to share."
The Family Peer Support Buddy program was developed in 2005 and piloted in three locations in BC in early 2006.
The program matches volunteers with persons who are family members of persons with a serious and persistent mental illness. The volunteers, who are also family members of a person with a mental illness, provide peer listening and some information during a weekly phone call or visit.
Talking to someone who has been through what you are going to can be a big help, and can help a person feel hopeful and figure out how to look after themselves as well as care for their ill family member or friend. Volunteers are not counselors, but they share the experience of supporting a person with a mental illness and can empathize with the feelings and concerns involved. They may offer useful information about programs and services that are available to help.
"I have provided an ear to listen to and my experience with the mental health system. I have given encouragement and gained a friend."
The program focuses on making the volunteer experience a rewarding and useful one for volunteers, as well as providing useful help to the buddies volunteers are matched with. Each 'match' lasts for up to 8 contacts.
The pilot testing went very well and the program materials are offered here to organizations who would like to offer this service in their region.
The program is not intended to replace support groups, but to provide support to people who prefer to speak one-on-one with someone about their situation or are unable to attend a support group.
Note: This program is not yet funded to continue beyond June 2006. Several regions are exploring ways to fund offering this program in their area. The resources are offered below to assist organizations or branches who might like to offer this program. Permission is granted to use and reproduce these materials them for non-profit purposes, provided you acknowledge their source.
Program Resources
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Program Marketing Diagram [PDF]
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Emailable program promotional poster [PDF]
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Buddy Coordinator Guide [PDF]
The Guide is designed to be a 'program in a box' complete with all the policy documents, forms, admin procedures, promotional posters, training overheads and materials. Want to customize the Guide? Download the Word document here.
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Emailable evaluation form for participants [DOC]
This form can be emailed to participants, who can fill it out and return the results via email, for more convenience and to save postage costs.
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Buddy Guide [PDF]
The Buddy Guide is designed to be printed in either black and white or colour and given to volunteer buddies to provide them with useful information and reinforce the messages of the training. Want to customize the Guide? Download the Word document here.
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Program Logic Model [PDF]
This visual diagram shows how each part of the program fit together and which portions were connected to which short and long term benefits.
Results of the Pilot
Initial results of the pilot were presented at the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Association of BC Conference in June 2006.
Evaluations from clients and buddies reported a high level of satisfaction with the program and it's flexibility. The majority of volunteers who participated were satisfied with their experience and would continue to volunteer with the program. A large portion of persons who received help from a buddy would also consider volunteering with the program at some point.
A more detailed report of program results is available upon request.
"There are so many positive aspects of the buddy program that they are too numerous to list. This program should be everywhere! I think the best part is that the client has the option of a new buddy if they are not comfortable with their current match (versatility)."
