Mentoring is a method of passing on lived experiences to support another caregiver in an empowering and meaningful way. Anyone who has been a caregiver will know that the caregiving role presents many challenges. These challenges will be different for every caregiver and from time to time support will be needed. A Peer Mentor has a wealth of experience and knowledge which can help another caregiver with the challenges of their caregiving situation. Caregivers share a common identity and can create a bond through sharing their experiences. You can easily connect by phone or by online/virtual discussion with your Caregiver Participant without leaving your home. An OCO trained peer mentor will:

‘Just be there’/Listen

Provide encouragement, support and acceptance

Acknowledge a caregiver’s strengths

Share lived experience and give real life examples

Discuss a caregiver’s wellbeing

Provide support with developing coping strategies

Provide relevant information

Provide support to set goals the caregiver identifies

Celebrate any goals the caregiver achieves

Be someone for a caregiver to bounce ideas of

The Ontario Caregiver Organization invites caregivers with diverse backgrounds from across Ontario to join our 1:1 Peer Support Program as a Peer Mentor. We are actively recruiting bilingual or multilingual caregivers who are fluent in English and also other languages.