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SHARE support services

Kitchener's Senior Helpers Aiding Retirees Through Experience (SHARE) is a group of trained older-adult volunteers -- known as peer helpers, providing support, assistance and information to other older adults who are going through a difficult time.

SHARE is run by a board of directors that oversees:

  • Fundraising

  • Programming

  • Promotion

  • Training

Peer helpers:

  • Provide one-to-one support for older adults encountering difficulties.

  • Offer information seminars on issues of interest to older adults.

  • Facilitate support groups.

Peer helpers complete a 30-hour training session focusing on communication skills and understanding the issues of aging.

SHARE peer helpers facilitate the following support groups:

Bridging the Gap pre-retirement program

Bridging the Gap pre-retirement information sessions focus on the social and emotional aspects of retirement through a holistic approach.

The sessions are open to people thinking about retirement or who have recently retired and are looking for more information on various topics such as health, legal, housing, relationships and more.

The strength of the program is its presenters or retirement associates. They come from a variety of work and personal backgrounds and have made a successful transition to retirement and want to help others do the same.

As volunteers, they are trained to facilitate workshops and offer one-to-one assistance. Because they are retired, they can speak from first-hand experience and listen with genuine understanding to participants' questions and concerns.

For more information, visit Bridging the Gap. [link to http://www.bridgingthegap.on.ca/]

Caregiver support group

The caregiver support group provides assistance and encouragement to people serving as primary caregivers.

The group meets twice a month to explore common difficulties and experiences in being the primary caregiver. Support is available from experienced facilitators, staff and community links.

Divorced and separated support group

This is a peer-run support group for older adults experiencing a divorce or separation, providing a safe environment for information sharing and an opportunity to learn from others who have shared similar life experiences.

This group meets twice a month.

Growing Further social group

This is a coffee and conversation group, where adults 55 years of age and older:

  • Learn ways to build on life experience and enrich the lives of others.

  • Make new friends.

  • Share ideas.

  • Socialize.

This group meets once a month.

New Beginnings grief support group

New Beginnings is for widowed people 50 years of age and older, providing a caring support system to help deal with the painful reality of personal loss and the gradual return to the mainstream of life.

Support is available from qualified staff and volunteers who have themselves coped with bereavement.

Participants can choose the services that are right for them. Areas of support include:

  • Peer-led support group

  • Professional counseling referrals

  • Lending library

This group meets twice a month.

For more information and to register for the SHARE support programs, please contact Wendy Fifield at 519-741-2576.


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