Mental Health Peer Support Volunteer

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is currently recruiting volunteers for:

Peer Support volunteers for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s Departments of Psychiatry

1. Inpatient Department (x2)

• Volunteers support patients on both adolescent and adult units
• Volunteering is on person at main Sunnybrook Campus

1. Outpatient Department (x4)

• Volunteering is on person at main Sunnybrook Campus

1. Family Peer Support Program (x2)

• There is an option to volunteer remotely.

We are seeking individuals who have lived experience - personal mental health or addiction challenges and successfully navigated their road to recovery.

What is “Lived Experience”?

• For those seeking to volunteer in Inpatients, you must have previously received a diagnosis and care in an Inpatient environment.
• For those seeking to volunteer in Outpatients you must have received care in outpatient setting for mental health or substance use concerns.
• For those seeking to volunteer with the Family Peer Support Program you must have lived experience supporting a loved one receiving care in a mental health inpatient or outpatient setting.

Lived Experience is essential background for this role.

Applicants may or may not have received their care at Sunnybrook.

The Role

Peer Support Volunteering is a supportive relationship between people who have something in common - that is, personal knowledge about mental illness gained from direct, first-hand experience.

Peer Support Volunteers:

• provide a source of hope and support for others in recovery
• assist individuals embarking on their own paths to healing
• share their own journey to help expand clients existing support networks
• guide people of all ages to mental health and addiction services; connect people to resources

This is not suitable for hose looking for an educational opportunity.

Qualifications:

Applicants should:

• Be in active recovery from a mental health condition for a minimum of 6 months.
• Commit to self-care and stress management.
• Ability to set and maintain boundaries.

A history of positive relationship building:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills: patient and positive
• Good listener with capacity to empathize
• Be a role model to others on their recovery journey and instill hope for a successful recovery.
• Willing to share and describe the things learned in their own covered.
• Collaborate with others.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Non-judgmental of other's experiences and choices.

Other requirements:

• Comfortable in a medical setting
• Comfort with public speaking and group facilitation
• Successful vulnerable sector check, reference and medical screening (required for all hospital volunteers.

Commitment

• 2 to 4 hours a week for a minimum of 1 year

• Volunteer must be able to commit to and complete all trainings. After that commit to active volunteering for a minimum of 1 year.

Accountability and Training:

Peer Support volunteers at Sunnybrook are registered as volunteers both with Sunnybrook and out partner agency Hope + Me. Therefore volunteers are required to complete all the onboarding and training requirements of both organizations and continue to be supported by and accountable to both organizations throughout their volunteer commitment.

Volunteers receive peer support training that is evidence-based and p pivotal to fosters resiliency, promote self-care, instills a sense of empowerment, and builds hope for clients.

For Peer Volunteer activity takes place onsite at Sunnybrook in a hospital setting so all protocols to work in this environment will need to be complete before beginning volunteering.

To apply:

To indicate your interest in this role, please:

• send a “Statement of Interest” (outlining your interest and suitability for this role) and your CV/resume
• Indicate which role you are most interested in. Please only apply for one position, even if you may qualify for more than one role.
• Before Friday March 6, 2026
  1. Not everyone will be contacted

Beth Singleton
Coordinator Volunteer Resources

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Beth.Singleton@Sunnybrook.ca

and

Angela Barnor

Coordinator, Human Resources

Hope + Me
recruitment@hopeandme.ca

What to expect with application process?

1. First, applicants will have a pre-screen conversation to ensure they meets the requirements of the position.
2. If selected for an interview, applicants should expect a virtual panel interview with Sunnybrook Volunteer Resources staff, Department of Psychiatry staff and staff from Hope + Me.