Mood Disorders Society of Canada (Companionship Conversationalist – Improving Veterans Wellness)

Organization Name: Mood Disorders Society of Canada
Opportunity Title: Companionship Conversationalist – Improving Veterans Wellness
Category: Counselling / Support / Mentoring
Commitment: Ongoing Opportunity (> 1 year)
Start Date: May 23, 2022
End Date: May 22, 2023

Email: volunteer@mdsc.ca
Website: http://mdsc.ca
Details:

• Background/police check required
• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Appropriate for volunteers aged 55 and over
• Family-oriented volunteering
• Training or orientation required

Opportunity Description:

The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is looking for volunteers that enjoy conversation and have a smile in their voice to join our team for our “Improving Veterans Wellness” program.

As a Companionship Conversationalist, you will help support Veterans and their family members by offering informal one-on-one phone calls. These calls are offered in a safe, private, and trust-based environment.

In your role, you will have regularly scheduled phone calls with a Veteran and/or family member/s as a way of providing connection. Companionship calls take place Monday to Friday evenings from 6 – 9pm Eastern but you would only be required to work at times that are scheduled with your clients.

This work requires a person who is able to speak with ease, who is compassionate, empathic, and wishes to support a vulnerable community.

This might be a great opportunity for you if you are interested in developing your peer support skills.

Training in peer support and basic mental health literacy education are provided.

*This is a virtual opportunity.

Responsibilities:

• Contact clients to establish a trust-based relationship and schedule phone calls
• Conduct client-centered companionship phone calls with Veterans and their family members, following the companionship call script to lead into and out of the phone conversations.
• Professionally represents MDSC at all times
• Participation in MDSC Volunteer training and the
  Peer and Trauma Support Services (PATSS) training program

Qualifications:

• Excellent oral communication skills
• Active and empathic listening skills
• Respectful interpersonal skills
• High level of comfort speaking with folks from different backgrounds or generations
• Aptitude for building strong relationships and proactively establishing ties with clients
• Good customer service and care for the client
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong sense of discernment and judgment (particularly regarding sensitive or personal issues)
• Ability to work with basic technology such as Google Forms or be willing to learn it
• One year commitment to working on this project
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently

 

Additional Requirements 

• Three references
• A vulnerable sector check
• Direct experience within the mental health field and/or experience working with Veterans is considered an asset
• Speak, reading, and writing in multiple languages an asset

 

To Apply: 

Through online application at https://mdsc.ca/volunteer/ 

Any questions, please contact volunteer@mdsc.ca