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 requiredAppropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55Appropriate for volunteers aged 55 and overFamily-oriented volunteeringTraining 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