Volunteer Support Group Facilitator

Title of Position: Volunteer Support Group Facilitator Are you a good listener? Do you create spaces for people to share openly and get the support needed in the moment? Are you looking to gain experience in group facilitation? In this role, you would be ensuring a supportive and constructive environment for care partners to connect with one another to learn, discuss, and share conversations about their common questions and experiences supporting a person living with dementia. Our Mission: The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories brings awareness to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; helps alleviate the personal and social consequences of the disease; provides education and support programs; and promotes and funds research into the cause, prevention, and cure. Our Values: CARE: Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empathy Position Purpose: The Volunteer Support Group Facilitator (Facilitator) ensures a supportive and constructive atmosphere, where informal care partners (family members, friends, etc.) can come together to learn, discuss, and share conversations about common experiences and questions regarding supporting or caring for a person living with dementia. In support of the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories’ (AS ABNT) mission, this volunteer position provides support for care partners through the co-facilitation and guidance of conversations with care partners through their experience with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. The Facilitator provides a leadership role within a support group to ensure an environment where group participants can share openly and gain constructive feedback and support from other group participants. Tasks / Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Facilitator/Co-facilitator include, but are not limited to:

• Set-up of support group space to foster a supportive, constructive, and confidential atmosphere.

• Welcome new members to the group and provide information on the operation of the group.

• Provide icebreaker questions or topics to encourage conversation and a comfortable environment.

• Encourage participation and provide focus and guidance for discussions within the group.

• Take attendance and submit to the appropriate AS ABNT staff.

• Provide support and redirect participants who may need further formal support to the appropriate AS ABNT staff member.

• Inform AS ABNT staff of client concerns, or clients needing support.

• Maintain professionalism and demonstrate AS ABNT core values with all group participants and AS ABNT staff.

• Follow guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering with AS ABNT.

Skills:

• Strong communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, professional, supportive, and empathetic demeanor

• Strong listening skills

• Experience with supporting a person living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease or their care partner(s).

• Experience facilitating a group environment is considered an asset. Location/Setting: Multiple groups offered throughout Alberta and Northwest Territories. Groups often held at AS ABNT offices, older adult living or care home locations, or community spaces (libraries, community halls, churches, etc.) Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per month. Group date and time is prescheduled for the year. Groups offered morning, afternoon, evening, or weekend depending on location and other factors. Supervision: Primary contact, scheduling, supervision, and support with be through the Client Services Navigator/Support Group Coordinator. Screening: Required Information:

• Volunteer Application

• Interview

• References

• Confidentiality Agreement

• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check

• Volunteer Agreement

• Media and communications release

Evaluation / Feedback: Annual reviews with supervisor, including ongoing opportunities for two-way feedback. Feedback encouraged and surveys sent regularly by Volunteer Engagement Coordinator for opportunity to provide formal feedback. Benefits:

• Gain valuable experience in group facilitation

• Develop leadership, and communication skills

• Opportunity to make a difference and visible impact on care partners affected by Alzheimer's disease and/or other dementias

• Costs incurred to complete and obtain a criminal record check/vulnerable sector check will be reimbursed by AS ABNT via cheque

• AS ABNT can provide reference letters How to get involved:

• Email: volunteer@alzheimer.ab.ca

• Fill out the Application on Jotform: https://form.jotform.com/240354884160254