Self Management Program Leader Training
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the training cost?
The training and materials are FREE. Each leader receives a Leader’s Manual and a
course reference book.
How long is the training?
The training is four consecutive days. Lunch and stretch breaks are included in each
day. Please dress comfortably.
Who conducts the training?
Certified trainers following a standardized Training manual deliver the four-day training.
What happens in the training?
The trainers show how the program is delivered. The Leader’s manual used by
volunteer leaders is reviewed. During the workshop, there are many opportunities to
ask questions. People get to practice reading from the manual so that they feel
comfortable.
What happens after completion of the four-day training?
The program coordinator will help leaders to set up a workshop in their community at a
place and time that works for them. Leaders work in pairs to give the program.
Why become a volunteer leader?
Volunteers learn ways to manage their own chronic health conditions and help others
living with chronic health conditions in their community.
Is it difficult to be a volunteer leader?
No, it is not difficult to be a volunteer leader. Leaders receive ongoing support from the
Program Coordinator. The Leader’s Manual provides exact instruction and tips in a
user-friendly format and leaders read from the Leader’s Manual. Leaders do not need
to be health professionals to deliver this workshop.
Sept, 2013
What are the activities of a volunteer leader?
Once they have successfully completed the four-day Leader Training Workshop,
leaders are asked to deliver a six-session workshop (in pairs). Volunteers receive a
small honorarium after delivering the six-session workshop to cover out-of-pocket
expenses. If someone takes the workshop and decides they do not want to lead the
program, they can still help with the program by telling other people about the program
and putting up posters and giving out brochures.
What is the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program? (CDSMP)
The CDSMP is a six-session workshop designed by Stanford University and is available
throughout the Province of British Columbia through the University of Victoria, Centre on
Aging. We train volunteer leaders to provide skills and tools to people with chronic
conditions to help themselves manage the everyday challenges. The workshop is lead
by pairs of volunteer leaders, who may have chronic health conditions themselves to
groups of between 10 to 12 participants. The workshop is not a “sit and listen”; it is very
interactive with the participants contributing to the brainstorming and problem-solving
activities at each session.
What is the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program? (CPSMP)
As with the CDSMP the Chronic Pain workshop is led by pairs of volunteer leaders
(most have chronic health conditions) to groups of between 10 to 12 participants. The
workshop is not a “sit and listen”, is very interactive and we also provide to each
participant a CD with the `Moving Easy Program` which everyone gets to keep with their
Workbook and the ``Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions`` Resource Book.
There are brainstorming and problem-solving discussions at each session. In the
Chronic Pain workshop we also spend time focusing on management of pain, we use
breathing exercises, guided imagery as well as planning for regular physical activity; all
of these things will help provide people with the skills and tools to help themselves
manage the everyday challenges of their chronic pain.
What is the Diabetes Self-Management Program? (DSMP)
As with the other Self Management Programs, workshops are led by pairs of volunteer
leaders to groups of between 10 to 12 participants. This workshop will assist people
who have already been diagnosed or those who may want to educate themselves to
learn how to manage this condition. Topics covered in the DSMP include reading
nutritional labels, preventing low blood sugar, strategies for sick days, foot care as well
as dealing with difficult emotions, problem solving and preventing or delaying
complications.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via our Lower
Mainland number is: 604 940 1273 or TOLL FREE 1 866 902 3767, or
www.selfmanagementbc.ca
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