Building a local peer volunteer team for suicide prevention and community connection ❤️
Hi everyone,
My name is Lloyd. I’m the ACT Regional Coordinator with Roses in the Ocean, and I’m helping build the Peer CARE Companion in Community program here in Canberra.
I wanted to share this here because it is genuinely local, and I think it could be something that matters for the ACT community.
Roses in the Ocean is a national lived experience of suicide organisation. The work is led and informed by people who have been personally impacted by suicide, including people who have experienced suicidal thoughts, survived a suicide attempt, supported someone through suicidal distress, or been bereaved by suicide.
Here in the ACT, I am building a non-clinical peer support program that can offer connection, companionship and community reconnection for adults impacted by suicide or suicidal distress.
We have already built a solid base of volunteers, this reddit page has been a great help, which I’m really grateful for. We’re now hoping to keep growing the local volunteer team so the program can become stronger, safer and more useful for people across Canberra.
A “peer” in this role means someone who can offer understanding from lived experience. It does not mean being a clinician or having all the answers.
The role may involve things like:
• meeting someone for a coffee or walk
• listening without judgement
• helping someone feel less isolated
• supporting someone to reconnect with community or other supports
• helping with community connection walks or coffee catch-ups
• being part of local outreach and awareness activities
This is not counselling, therapy, crisis intervention, clinical risk assessment or case management. It is human connection within clear boundaries, training and support.
We’re especially keen to hear from people who may have lived experience of suicide and feel ready to use that experience in a safe and supported way to help others feel less alone.
Lived experience of suicide may include:
• experiencing suicidal thoughts or distress
• surviving a suicide attempt
• supporting someone through suicidal distress
• being bereaved by suicide
You do not need to be a professional.
You do not need to share your whole story publicly.
You do not need to be perfect or have everything figured out.
The main things we’re looking for are people who are grounded, respectful, reliable, able to hold boundaries, and interested in connection rather than “fixing” people.
After training, volunteers generally offer around 3 hours per month, and availability can be updated around life. We’re ideally looking for people who can stay involved for around six months or more.
Training and support includes:
• TouchPoints workshop
• self-paced online learning
• Peer CARE Companion workshop
• service induction and practice calls
• ongoing support, supervision and group reflection
You are not expected to do this work alone.
If you’re interested or even just curious, you can email me at:
pccic.act@rosesintheocean.com.au
Requirements include a Police Check and ACT Working With Vulnerable People Card.
Thanks for reading. I know this is a sensitive topic, but I’m sharing it because I believe Canberra needs more safe, human, community-based ways for people to feel connected before, after and between formal supports.
https://rosesintheocean.com.au/peer-care-companion-in-community-volunteer-with-us