Peer Support Volunteers

Wellspring New Brunswick was approved as an affiliate of Wellspring in 2024 in Moncton, New Brunswick, inspired by Wellspring’s mission. Wellspring New Brunswick is proudly funded by the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation.

Wellspring New Brunswick’s work is made possible through the generous donations of individuals, corporations, foundations and grassroots fundraisers, and with the efforts of committed volunteers, dedicated staff and skilled program leaders.

Purpose of Position

The primary duty of a Peer Support Volunteer is to provide emotional and coping support. They offer information from their own experience as it pertains to the concerns brought forward by the individual, as well as information about programs or services that may help meet their needs.

To qualify as a Peer Support Volunteer, individuals must:

• be at least 18 years of age
• have been diagnosed with cancer, or caregiver of a cancer patient no longer have acute
cancer support needs
• have strong interpersonal communication skills
• demonstrated compassion and resourcefulness
• be available for duty as per desired program schedule
• provide an acceptable Police Record Check including a Vulnerable Sector Check

Key areas of responsibility

• Respond to peer support referrals within 48 hours to confirm or turn down the match
• Reach out to referral within an additional 48 hours to set up a time/location to meet In the
event that contact was not possible, follow up with the Program Coordinator
• Ensure that location for meeting is private and confidential
• Create a welcoming environment for your peer support meeting
• Listen in an empathetic manner to the members’ circumstances and experiences with
cancer
• Help normalize feelings and experiences through reassurance and sharing information
about common responses to the diagnosis of cancer
• Share in an appropriate manner information about their own experiences with cancer if
doing so would be helpful
• Offer tips on ways to cope with cancer as appropriate to the needs expressed during the
peer support contact (such as how one might schedule daily activities to best manage
fatigue, or ways to prepare or serve foods to help maximize nutrition intake during
treatment based on their experience)
• Using available tools, assist the individual to find resources or programs that will support
them with the needs identified your peer support conversation as appropriate.
• Log the peer support visit for data purposes
• Reach out to the Program Coordinator with any questions or concerns arising
• Follow up contact with the individual if desired
• Create a self-care plan and reach out to the Program Coordinator to debrief if a
conversation is difficult or if you are feeling in need of a break

To apply:

To apply, please complete the Wellspring Volunteer application form and we will be in touch soon.