Acknowledgements

The Senior Peer Counselling of British Columbia (SPCBC) acknowledges and appreciates the individuals and groups who pioneered the work of Senior Peer Counselling in the province. Their dedication and wisdom were instrumental in creating a network of volunteers who provide invaluable support to seniors in our communities.

Dr. Honoré France, from the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Education, initiated the first Senior Peer Counselling training program, designing the curriculum and training the first volunteers. His manual, “Peer Counselling: Helping Seniors Help Seniors,” became the foundation for the training model used by Senior Peer Counselling programs.

Several communities, including Vancouver West End, Nanaimo, Quesnel, Trail, Victoria, and Peachland, served as pilot sites to test the initial volunteer training for Senior Peer Counsellors.

Goldie Callow played a key role in founding SPCBC and developed the “Guidelines for Implementation of Senior Peer Counselling Programs,” a manual to help groups tailor their programs to meet specific needs.

Patricia Wheeler was the first provincial coordinator of SPCBC, responsible for setting the administrative direction of the Association and creating the “Senior Peer Counselling Program Administration Guidelines.”

Beryl Petty coordinated Peer Counselling programs at Century House in New Westminster and Marpole Place for Seniors in Vancouver. She also led special projects for SPCBC, including the creation of training manuals and videos on topics such as “Prevention of Alcohol Misuse Among Seniors,” “Seniors and Mental Health,” and “Seniors and Continuing Care.”

Truda Loewen provided training for senior peer counselling trainers and developed a Trainer’s Training Manual. Heidi Andrie, who coordinated the Peer Counselling program at the West End Seniors Network in Vancouver, later took over as the provincial trainer for Senior Peer Counselling groups throughout BC.

Ellie Gerhardt consolidated materials from various SPCBC training manuals into a comprehensive provincial training manual for new Senior Peer Counselling groups.

SPCBC acknowledges the many coordinators, directors, and volunteers who, in the early years, laid the groundwork for the successful programs that continue today. The dedication of these volunteers, both on the Board of Directors and as peer counsellors, is deeply appreciated, and their contributions have made a lasting impact.