Background
For nearly 20 years Counterpart, a service of Women’s Health Victoria, has recruited and selected women who have had cancer to become Peer Support Volunteers (PSVs). The model of providing peer support to women with cancer has been carefully developed, implemented and monitored to ensure safety and care for both women with cancer and PSV’s. Over 140 women across thirteen separate intakes of PSVs have undertaken comprehensive training to prepare and equip them for providing connection, support and information to other women with cancer.
What does success look like?
Women feeling confident to commence as PSVs after completing the training program.
Measurement: post training self-assessment.
Women feeling comfortable and eager to learn new skills through their three-month orientation.
Measurement: Completion of orientation self-reflective tools and staff assessment
Collegiate “on the job” support from experienced PSVs as mentors.
Women making calls to women with cancer independently during orientation.
Low rate of complaints or disciplinary issues.
Measurement: Number of complaints received, and disciplinary processes undertaken.
Having highly trained, enthusiastic and experienced PSVs who support future recruitment processes.
Measurement:
PSVs who keep volunteering even if diagnosed with a recurrence or metastatic disease.
PSVs who embrace change and are energised to consider service developments and volunteer enhancements.
Measurement:
Counterpart Peer Support Volunteers are integral to all aspects of Counterpart’s service delivery and continually contribute to the success and evolution of our work. Success looks like Volunteers who are engaged and give amazing commitment, care, enthusiasm and the precious gift of time to Counterpart and Victorian women with cancer.