The Support Group Facilitator plays a critical role in the delivery of support services at community level. Once a month, they create a confidential and welcoming in-person or virtual space, where people living with Parkinson’s and/or their care partners can share their experiences and develop supportive relationships in a group setting.

As a Support Group Facilitator, you bring a keen desire to make a difference in the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s.  Your empathetic approach, enthusiasm for learning, and ability to facilitate discussion about issues related to Parkinson’s are key factors in ensuring that monthly support groups are safe spaces. Key tasks may include:

• Meeting preparation, including reaching out to new members, sending pre-meeting reminders to members, and sharing resources to members
• Managing logistical aspects of the meetings, set-up and take-down of the room, and providing technical support if virtual
• aking attendance and keeping brief notes, sending to staff contact after meeting
• Guiding conversations and making sure everyone has a chance to share
• Sending meeting follow-up emails to group
• Forwarding messages to group members
• Facilitate a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment
• When possible, attend development sessions

Volunteers work with Alzheimer Society Family Support Coordinators in 1) a morning Support Group, 2) an afternoon Support Group or 3) an evening Support Group, depending upon the community.

• Supportive of exercise being part of one's lifestyle

• Familiar with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee

• Be able to bend and squat repeatedly

• Be able to lift exercise equipment (pedal bikes, risers, chairs)

• Mon and Wed 1:15 to 3:45 pm and/or

• Mon and Fri morning 8:45 to 11:15 am

• Additional time may be helpful to assist those in need of computer registration with GLA:D Canada at BCHC