What We Do

What is Peer Support?

Peer support is a way of supporting others that is grounded in shared lived experience and the fostering of hope. It involves people walking alongside one another, offering empathy and understanding, human to human.

Rather than giving advice or trying to fix someone, peer support focuses on listening, mutual respect, and supporting each person’s right to make their own choices. It builds belonging, strengthens self-determination, and helps people feel less alone as they move toward the life they want.

About Us

The Western Canada Peer Training Society is rooted in connection. We believe social wellness grows when people share their lived experience and show up for one another in honest, human ways. When people speak openly about struggle and growth, empathy deepens, hope becomes possible, and communities become stronger.

Peer support builds belonging and resilience, yet access to quality training is often limited by financial and systemic barriers. Our work focuses on making peer support education more accessible so more people can develop the skills to support others and strengthen their communities.

We offer practical, collaborative learning that develops real-world skills and reflective practice. Through mentorship, gatherings, and shared learning, we foster connection and ongoing growth. We also support pathways into employment and leadership, helping organizations integrate peer support in ways that bridge gaps in mental health care.

Our approach is strength-based and grounded in the belief that everyone carries valuable knowledge shaped by their own experience. We envision communities across Western Canada where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to walk alongside one another.

Our Mission

The Western Canada Peer Training Society exists to expand access to high-quality peer support education across Calgary and Western Canada. We build skills, confidence, and leadership by centering lived experience, strengthening self-determination, and creating pathways for peers to contribute meaningfully in their communities and workplaces.

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