Family Member Co-Facilitator for Family Connections Support Group

Position Overview

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking a compassionate and experienced Family Member to co-facilitate our Family Connections Support Group. This group meets twice per month and offers family members of individuals accessing Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Services a safe space to share experiences, gain insights, and receive emotional support. The Family Member Co-Facilitator will work collaboratively with other facilitators to create an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for group members.

As a Family Member Co-Facilitator, you will play an essential role in managing group dynamics, guiding conversations, and fostering a space where family members feel heard, supported, and empowered. The ideal candidate has lived experience as a family member of someone accessing MHSU Services, is skilled in managing group interactions, and is comfortable with virtual platforms (Zoom/MS Teams).


Key Responsibilities

Co-Facilitate Sessions

  • Lead segments such as group introductions, review ground rules, and facilitate icebreakers.

  • Guide and manage general discussion while ensuring everyone has a chance to speak.

  • Provide emotional support, share lived experiences and offer group members a sense of belonging.

Group Management

  • Refocus group discussions when needed, ensuring that the conversation stays productive and relevant.

  • Address behaviors that conflict with group guidelines in a respectful and constructive manner.

  • Encourage active participation, promoting a sense of inclusivity, and sharing experiences.

Skills and Techniques

  • Use active listening and empathy to create a supportive environment.

  • Be mindful of group body language and non-verbal cues.

  • Avoid giving advice; instead, focus on sharing lived experiences and fostering family peer support.

  • Maintain boundaries while ensuring group members feel heard.

Post-Session Debrief

  • Participate in post-session debriefs to reflect on the session’s effectiveness and suggest improvements.

Collaborate with Mental Health Professionals

  • Work in collaboration with mental health professionals to ensure group activities align with best practices in group facilitation and support.


Required Qualifications

  • Lived Experience: Must be a family member of someone who accesses VCH Mental Health and Substance Use Services (MHSU).

  • Group Facilitation Experience: Experience in facilitating group discussions or support groups, particularly in virtual settings, is highly preferred.

  • Proficiency with Zoom and/or MS Teams: Skills in managing online meetings, including troubleshooting technical issues, using breakout rooms, and managing group features.

  • Location Requirement: Available to attend in-person groups at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) Campus.

  • Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and listening skills, with a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental demeanor.

  • Professionalism: Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality while providing emotional support and guidance.

  • Criminal Record Check: Successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check paid for by VCH.


Position Details

  • Position title: Family Member Co-Facilitator – Family Connections Support Group (contract)
  • Location: Currently groups are held online (via Zoom/MS Teams). Groups may be held in-person in the future.
  • Date and time: Twice a month, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (1st Thursday and 3rd Monday of each month)
  • Compensation: $25 per hour, includes a 2-hour session, 1-hour prep session and 1-hour post-session (total of 4 hours)
  • Contract timeframe: 6-month period, with a possibility of renewal


Supervision & Support
Supervision will be provided by a designated mental health professional, with regular check-ins to review the effectiveness of group sessions, address any concerns, and ensure ongoing professional development.


How to Apply
Please use the registration form to submit your resume and a brief cover letter detailing your experience as a family member of someone accessing MHSU services, your experience with support groups, and why you are interested in this position. Support groups thrive when they reflect diverse voices and experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.


We acknowledge that our places of work and the Vancouver Coastal Health sites lie on the traditional homelands of the First Nation Communities of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Líl̓wat, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh (Sechelt), Skatin, Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Tla’amin, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa.

Position Overview

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking a compassionate and experienced Family Member to co-facilitate our Family Connections Support Group. This group meets twice per month and offers family members of individuals accessing Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Services a safe space to share experiences, gain insights, and receive emotional support. The Family Member Co-Facilitator will work collaboratively with other facilitators to create an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for group members.

As a Family Member Co-Facilitator, you will play an essential role in managing group dynamics, guiding conversations, and fostering a space where family members feel heard, supported, and empowered. The ideal candidate has lived experience as a family member of someone accessing MHSU Services, is skilled in managing group interactions, and is comfortable with virtual platforms (Zoom/MS Teams).


Key Responsibilities

Co-Facilitate Sessions

  • Lead segments such as group introductions, review ground rules, and facilitate icebreakers.

  • Guide and manage general discussion while ensuring everyone has a chance to speak.

  • Provide emotional support, share lived experiences and offer group members a sense of belonging.

Group Management

  • Refocus group discussions when needed, ensuring that the conversation stays productive and relevant.

  • Address behaviors that conflict with group guidelines in a respectful and constructive manner.

  • Encourage active participation, promoting a sense of inclusivity, and sharing experiences.

Skills and Techniques

  • Use active listening and empathy to create a supportive environment.

  • Be mindful of group body language and non-verbal cues.

  • Avoid giving advice; instead, focus on sharing lived experiences and fostering family peer support.

  • Maintain boundaries while ensuring group members feel heard.

Post-Session Debrief

  • Participate in post-session debriefs to reflect on the session’s effectiveness and suggest improvements.

Collaborate with Mental Health Professionals

  • Work in collaboration with mental health professionals to ensure group activities align with best practices in group facilitation and support.


Required Qualifications

  • Lived Experience: Must be a family member of someone who accesses VCH Mental Health and Substance Use Services (MHSU).

  • Group Facilitation Experience: Experience in facilitating group discussions or support groups, particularly in virtual settings, is highly preferred.

  • Proficiency with Zoom and/or MS Teams: Skills in managing online meetings, including troubleshooting technical issues, using breakout rooms, and managing group features.

  • Location Requirement: Available to attend in-person groups at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) Campus.

  • Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and listening skills, with a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental demeanor.

  • Professionalism: Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality while providing emotional support and guidance.

  • Criminal Record Check: Successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check paid for by VCH.


Position Details

  • Position title: Family Member Co-Facilitator – Family Connections Support Group (contract)
  • Location: Currently groups are held online (via Zoom/MS Teams). Groups may be held in-person in the future.
  • Date and time: Twice a month, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (1st Thursday and 3rd Monday of each month)
  • Compensation: $25 per hour, includes a 2-hour session, 1-hour prep session and 1-hour post-session (total of 4 hours)
  • Contract timeframe: 6-month period, with a possibility of renewal


Supervision & Support
Supervision will be provided by a designated mental health professional, with regular check-ins to review the effectiveness of group sessions, address any concerns, and ensure ongoing professional development.


How to Apply
Please use the registration form to submit your resume and a brief cover letter detailing your experience as a family member of someone accessing MHSU services, your experience with support groups, and why you are interested in this position. Support groups thrive when they reflect diverse voices and experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.


We acknowledge that our places of work and the Vancouver Coastal Health sites lie on the traditional homelands of the First Nation Communities of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Líl̓wat, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh (Sechelt), Skatin, Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Tla’amin, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa.

  • Apply to be a Family Co-Facilitator

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Page last updated: 21 Jan 2026, 03:52 PM