Peer Help

Peer Helpers, known as office volunteers, are the core of the Peer Help Centre’s services during regular office hours. They offer students a confidential in-person Active Listening session where they listen empathically and without judgement, to validate the person’s thoughts and feelings. Among other tasks, Peer Helpers assist students by providing information and support, oriented in resources for on and off-campus services, and volunteer at the reception. They also provide students with Peer Editing and Presentation Critiques.

• Training Involved: Peer Helpers are trained in Active Listening and Communication, Empathic Assertiveness, and safeTALK provided by the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, and/or LivingWorks Education. As well, they are trained in resources for on and off-campus services, and reception.
• Time Commitment: Peer Helpers have two 1.5 hour shifts a week at the Centre.

Peer Support Coaches volunteer during regular office hours for the Peer Support Phone Line and the Peer Support Chat services. They offer students confidential Active Listening sessions where they listen empathically and without judgement, to validate the person’s thoughts and feelings. Among other tasks, Peer Support Coaches assist students by providing information and support, and oriented in resources for on and off-campus services.

• Training Involved: Peer Support Coaches are trained in Active Listening and Communication, Empathic Assertiveness and ASIST provided by the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, and/or LivingWorks Education. As well, they are trained in resources for on and off-campus services, and the Peer Support Chat platform.
• Time Commitment: Peer Support Coaches have one 3 hours shift a week at the Centre.

Peer Mentors are responsible for dedicating their time to establishing a supportive mentoring relationship with a high school student and meeting all program requirements. A Peer Mentor serves as a role model for their student and provides friendly guidance and support. Some of the mentoring goals include strategizing for academic success, promoting postsecondary education, and assisting with social and emotional development.

• Training Involved: Peer Mentors are trained in Active Listening and Communication, and Empathic Assertiveness by the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region. They are also trained in safeTALK and two mentoring training workshops provided by SASS Mentoring Centre. As well, they are trained in resources. A Vulnerable Sector Check must be done in order to be a Peer Mentor.
• Time Commitment: The Peer Mentor will be responsible for meeting with their mentee 3 times a month for a duration of 1.5-2 hours per meeting. A social event will happen once a month where a Peer Mentor and a mentee will be expected to attend, these events can be up to 2-3 hours long. A bi-weekly meeting with the Mentoring for Youth Supervisor will be 30 minutes long.

Peer Help Ambassadors are responsible for dedicating their time to: promoting all the services provided by the Peer Help Centre. The Peer Help Ambassador will be trained to develop the necessary soft skills to communicate efficiently with students on a friendly, respectful and social way in order to approach students on campus to distribute flyers and explain what are the services we offer.

• Training Involved: The Peer Help Ambassador will undergo training provided by the Centre to fully understand all the different services and resources provided by the centre and to develop necessary soft skills.
• Time Commitment:

  The Peer Help Ambassador will be responsible for doing rounds in campus 3 times a month for a duration of 1.5-2 hours per round. A social event will happen once a month where Peer Help Ambassadors are expected to attend, these events can be up to 2-3 hours long. A bi-weekly meeting will be held with the Marketing and Event supervisor that takes about 30 minutes long.

The Marketing Assistant is responsible for dedicating their time to assist the events supervisor with ongoing events and marketing campaigns by collecting audience feedback, creating content, update spreadsheets.

• Training Involved: The Marketing Assistant will undergo training provided by the Centre to fully understand all the different services and resources provided.
• Time Commitment: The Marketing Assistant will have to work 2 shifts of 2-3 Hours each every week. As well as a bi-weekly meeting will be held with the Marketing and Event supervisor that takes around 30 minutes long.