Engaging Peer Support to Inspire Hope and Resilience
About Us
Western Canada Peer Training Society promotes social wellness and community connection through sharing our lived experience. We provide collaborative peer support education as well as continuing peer mentorship. We work from a strength-based approach and aim to serve all peer support workers in Western Canada.
Get involved by joining us at a peer support centric gathering.
Have a look at the resources we have to offer.
Member Spotlight
Bruce Carrick
Bruce is a proud member of Western Canada Peer Training Society and currently the Peer Support Practice Lead at the Alex. This leadership position is one of the few true lived-experience leadership positions in Western Canada. Bruce provides mentorship and direct support to 14 peer supporters across six programs ranging from street outreach, to housing, to medical services.
In the past year he has been invited to attend the Governor General’s Round Table and Symposium on mental health representing the Alex’s perspective in advancing and recognizing the value of peer support as a bridge in the community. Bruce is currently co-designing a Train the Trainer program in collaboration with Western Canada Peer Training Society. His extensive experience and knowledge enables him to empower new staff to utilize peer support to engage those individuals often stigmatized by more conventional systems.
Peer Support responds to this disconnect by building trust through lived experience. Healing begins with connection, and peers foster connection grounded in empathy and mutuality. Peer support workers walk alongside individuals as they navigate complex health, economic, and social issues, offering understanding and support that clinical services cannot provide.
Peer Support is Proven to Be Effective in These Ways
Based on Lived Experience
Lived experience refers to the personal knowledge gained from being directly impacted by a specific situation or circumstance. In healthcare, it specifically applies to individuals who have experienced life-altering health conditions, relied heavily on secondary health services, and faced power imbalances within the healthcare system. This perspective is valuable and offers unique insights for healthcare professionals and policymakers.
Saves $ Spent on Mental Health
Peer support saves money in mental health by reducing the need for costly emergency care, hospitalizations, and repeat crises. Early support from people with lived experience helps individuals stay engaged, address problems sooner, and follow through on care, which lowers relapse and readmission rates. Simply put, preventing crises through connection is far less expensive than responding after matters have reached emergency level.
WCPTS Membership Options
What does my membership get me?
Membership Length - 1 year
NOTE: All memberships purchased after the November AGM will be good from the time of membership until December 31st the end of the following year.
$5 - Volunteer Voting Member
In kind donation of 15 hours , attendance at a minimum 5 meetings per year plus attendance at the AGM.
$25 Education Voting Member
(There is no tax receipt for membership fees).
Click below to ...
Your Contribution Makes A Difference!
Help us Help Others
By donating to WCPTS you will be contributing to the advancement of peer support, an invaluable tool in the tool kit for connection and wellness.
CanadaHelps.org
WCPTS is proud to be registered with CanadaHelps.org. Click the button below to donate and receive your tax receipt immediately for donations of $20 or more.
$20 or more - Friend of the Society includes tax receipt
$100 or more - Supporting Community Partner includes tax receipt and recognition if desired
$800 - Includes tax receipt and recognition if desired
Registered Charitable Number: 79300 5117 RR0001
Our Generous Donors 2021-2025
