Peer support group for individuals who struggle with substances to talk about their experiences, emotions, challenges and stories. Peer support group for individuals aged above 18.

We run a community centre and have started multiple support groups. we believe that intervention is required at multiple levels and support of multiple kinds is beneficial. a sense of belonging and being understood as well as being able to support someone else are important factors in one’s emotional contentment, sense of self and capacity to cope with everything life may throw at you independent of the specific topic of the support group.

March 2025. It is still very new, the journey so far has been of holding space and learning. The intention for the future of the group is to be able to provide a space for individuals to share their experience without the worry of being judged or looked down upon.

The Peer support is for individuals with Substance use challenges. This is a non-judgmental, confidential space for individuals navigating substance use, whether you’re in recovery, questioning your relationship with substances, or supporting someone who is. Here, we share honestly, hold space for one another’s struggles and strengths, and remind each other that healing takes time and community. Wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome here. No pressure. No shame. Just support.

We created a plan for the first few sessions based on the experience of the lived experience expert. we then take suggestions from the group about specific things they may want to discuss or share. we have also curated resources as this is not therapy and mental health is intersectional so there may be needs that this support group cannot meet. we like to go into depth for all our topics and look at them from a practical, day to day implication-point of view. we hold space and allow for venting but foster hope to avoid an ‘us v/s them’ mentality creeping in.

we have in house therapists, we know of external group therapy resources in case someone would like to go deeper. we also have a resource list for other needs that arise in everyone’s life because mental health is intersectional. we also have trained gatekeepers in suicide prevention and first aid and de-escalation.

our facilitator and psychologist are trained in suicide prevention. we do not do therapy. we only allow people above the age of 18. we are not wheelchair accessible but we could potentially put the person on a chair if that’s possible and carry them up. it’s on the 1st floor. we can’t speak sign language.

browse our website’s list of peer support sessions. register for the date you want to attend. once you register once, we ask if you want to come regularly or just register every time you intend on attending.

Lived experience expert introduces the topic, it’s discussed as a group, different people share, the facilitator allows for whoever wants to speak to get a chance. each session ends with a different kind of winding-down/meditation.

the session will start and end on time. please arrive 5 minutes prior to the start of the session. if someone is more than 10 minutes late, we don’t allow them in. it will be a confidential space. participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed. members are encouraged to share their experiences that contribute to their journey. kindly speak with respect and sensitivity as diverse viewpoints may exist within the group. please do not interrupt other members while talking. you may raise your hand if you wish to speak. we will not be having a round of introduction, each participant may introduce themselves as they speak. kindly note this is peer support and not professional intervention. if you feel overwhelmed, feel free to excuse yourself and step out for a while. please ensure your phone “is on silent mode and put it away in your bag. recording of the session is not allowed to maintain confidentiality. the session will be conducted in english. this is a group where new members may join in for any session.

we hope they feel heard, seen and understood. we hope they feel less alone in their experiences. we hope they feel the gratitude that comes with being able to support someone else, even if that is just holding space for them. we hope they learn tools or perspectives or insights from people going through similar situations