Cochrane’s Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is providing free training to anyone in the area who wants to learn more about helping others who are looking for support.
The effort is called the Community Helpers program, and is a two-day workshop based on the idea that there are always people who others naturally turn to when they need help.
“It you’ve ever tried to help a friend, colleague or family member, you know what it’s like to wish you could do more,” said Susan Flowers, manager of Cochrane’s FCSS and social planning. “This program gives you some tools to help anyone in your life and to inform you about services to refer to for further support.”
Sharon MacDonald, programmer of the Community Helper program, will be delivering the workshop.
“Any one of us may be asked to help others deal with a personal difficulty or challenge,” she said. “It can be grief and loss, but it can also be relationship difficulties, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. This program will help people respond.”
Participants will learn how to approach a peer who may be going through a difficult time and how to talk about the matter openly.
The first segment of the program will run June 2, with the second June 9; both from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend and asked to contact MacDonald at [email protected] or 403-851-2950 to register for the workshop.
