National Community of Practice Meetings for Peer Supporters
In collaboration with Canadian Mental Health Association, Peer Support Canada is excited to launch a new National Community of Practice (CoP) series designed to strengthen the peer support workforce across the country.
These 1.5-hour virtual sessions will bring together peer support workers and program managers from across Canada to engage in meaningful discussion, deepen skills, and collaboratively shape practical resources that support high-quality, values-driven peer support service delivery.
CoP 1: Navigating Multiple Hats: Social Service Work, Social Work, and Peer Support Work
April 9th, 2026 – 2:00 – 3:30 EST
Facilitated By: Peer Support Canada
An exploration of the ethics, challenges and opportunities that arise from being both a peer support worker, and a registered social service worker, registered social worker, or an individual with academic training in a helping profession.
CoP 2: Peer Support Work and Lived Experience Roles
Wed. April 23rd, 2026 – 1:00 – 2:30 EST
Facilitated By: Adam Milne (he/him), Peer Connections Manitoba
An exploration of the unique differences between hiring roles fulfilled by people with lived experience roles and the role of a peer
support worker, with the goal of working towards some guidelines for protecting the peer support worker job title.
CoP 3: Understanding and Supporting People Navigating Crisis
Wed. May 20th, 2026 – 1:00 – 2:30 EST
Facilitated By: Mahfam Nikoo (she/her)
A discussion around the application of the peer support values and competencies within the context of supporting peers navigating
crisis.
CoP 4: Documentation and Notetaking as a Peer Support Worker
Thurs. June 25th, 2026 – 1:00 – 2:30 EST
Facilitated By: Calvin Prowse (they/them)
A discussion of best practices and challenges surrounding documentation and note taking as a peer support worker, with the goal of
working towards some guidelines for note taking practices for peer support workers.
Based on feedback from our community, sessions will balance peer-generated dialogue, facilitator-guided discussion, and skill-building. Participants will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of national tools and resources that support consistent, sustainable peer support practice.
Spots will be limited to ensure an engaging and interactive experience. We will invite expressions of interest and select participants with the goal of ensuring broad geographic and demographic representation.
If you’re interested in connecting with peer supporters from across Canada, strengthening your practice, and contributing to the future of peer support nationally, we invite you to review the attached group guidelines, and fill out the expression of interest form for the topics that you’re interested in and the dates that you know you are available to participate.
This project was made possible with a donation from RBC Foundation.