Open hearts. Honest conversations.

By Family Services of the North Shore

Join registered clinical counsellor Valerie Dolgin and her guests as they chat about the issues, big and small, we’re all facing together. From heightened anxiety to pandemic parenting to finding joy ... more

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FAQs about Open hearts. Honest conversations.:

How many episodes does Open hearts. Honest conversations. have?

The podcast currently has 18 episodes available.

Open hearts. Honest conversations. episodes:

January 31, 2024How Validation Builds Self-Compassion for People with Eating Disorders
Open hearts. Honest conversations.
Episode 10: How Validation Builds Self-Compassion for People with Eating Disorders
Our Director of Community & Provincial Programs including Embody Eating Disorders Prevention and Awareness Program, Laurie Kohl, leads us through an insightful and informative conversation with Dr. Josie Geller, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Research in the Eating Disorders Program at St. Paul’s Hospital. Together they explore how validation builds self-compassion for people living with eating disorders, referring to Dr. Geller’s research focused on individuals with lived experience. Specifically, they look at levels of validation, the building blocks of self-compassion as well as the barriers to self-compassion. Their conversation is anchored in the ways parents, caregivers, and professionals can provide support, along with examples of how to do this.
Show Notes:
Introduction to Dr. Geller’s recent research studies, including the approach and key findings
Definition of validation, and what exactly validation means to people living with eating disorders
Relationship between validation and self-compassion
Introduction of self-compassion, and association with positive outcomes in recovery
Introduction of barriers to self-compassion, and how people have overcome them
Types of support, and how to provide support
Importance of enduring support throughout the recovery journey
Resources:
To learn more about Embody – the story behind the program and the range of resources available to you, click here to visit our website
Refer to Josie Geller and Avarna Fernandes’s article, Learning from Individuals with Lived Experience: The building blocks of self-compassion click here
In this episode we refer to the Eating Attitudes Screening Tool, click here to access the anonymous online screener.
We also refer to the Body Image Screening Tool, click here to use. This is also an anonymous online screener.
Research article on validation, The power of feeling seen: Perspectives on validation from individuals with eating disorders. Journal of Eating Disorders, 9, 149, click here
Research article: Self-compassion and its barriers: Predicting outcomes from inpatient and residential eating disorders treatment. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10(1), 1–10, click here
We would love to hear from you!
If you have questions about this podcast or suggestions for our future podcasts.
...more
55min
January 30, 2023Transition
Open hearts. Honest conversations.
Episode 9: Transition
In this informative and heartfelt episode, Valerie is joined by Beckham and Sheila, an adult child-parent team who share their journey navigating conversations around Beckham’s gender identity, and trans journey. Each share their experience; how it felt, the supports they found along the way, and where they are today.
This episode brings to life the importance of validation, acceptance, and unconditional love through the lenses of both parent and child. This tenacious team worked over many years to maintain and ultimately grow their relationship, while expanding understanding of themselves as individuals, and becoming involved in the issues facing LGBTQ2S+ communities.
Show Notes
Recognition and appreciation for LGBTQ2S+ folks that have gone before us, who have worked so hard to bring transgender and queer issues to the forefront and out into public discourse, particularly acknowledging trans women of colour.
This journey for Beckham and Sheila began when Beckham was 16, in high school, and came out as gay or bisexual, telling their parents they were dating a woman. At that time Beckham went by the name Rebecca and identified as female.
Beckham found support in their community through a high school counsellor, and a queer youth group. Joining this group provided opportunities for supportive friendships and connections to events, as well as positive examples of older adults in the queer communities.
After high school, Beckham went away to university, which provided a ‘blank canvas’ and allowed for evolution and transformation. Being away and independent provided space to explore gender and identity and to fully embark on their journey of self discovery without the worry of other people’s expectations.
During this time, Beckham expanded their understanding of gender and expression, transitioning their name to Beck and ultimately Beckham, changing their appearance and pronouns.
As a parent, navigating parenting a child who was working through figuring out their gender identity and expression, Sheila focused on learning and educating herself, building knowledge, and ultimately becoming an advocate. She is also a supporter for parents at different stages of this journey.
Sheila emphasizes the importance of reaching out and locating communities that may be different than the ones you are in.
Parent’s support groups for Sheila included Family Services of the North Shore PROUD2BE parents group, and PFLAG, where she built meaningful and important connections with other parents who she would not have met within her own existing communities.
A turning point for Sheila was finding people to connect with and forming friendships based on common experience and perspective. These friendships, coupled with finding a relevant counsellor, helped to alleviate feelings of isolation and aloneness.
As a parent working through this, Sheila recognized the importance of taking care of herself through exercise and the outdoors. Through counselling, she also knew that she had to process her own feelings rather than supress them.
Creating and maintaining open lines of communication is so important, and not always easy. Space and time, between (difficult) conversations can be extremely helpful. Also, being sure to continue to do every-day simple things together and continue to have regular conversations.
A parent can be their child’s greatest advocate.
Meet your child where they are.
Focus on unconditional love.
Validate…I see you, I hear you, I love you. Validation is not approval; it is looking for the emotion behind what the person is saying.
Figure out how to show up for your child, it makes a big difference.
Become an ally. Beckham offers an acronym for folks to consider: LEVEL UP which stands for; Listen and hold space, Educate yourself, Validate, Empathy- extend empathy, Love, Understand- seek to understand, Pronouns.
Know that kids change their minds. Follow your child’s lead while keeping in mind kids don’t always know what they want, and/or they may not have the words/vocabulary for it, yet.
Today, Sheila lives close by Beckham and their family, which includes their partner and two children (+furry friends). The interests Sheila and Beckham have always shared are alive and well, and they now know one another as adults.
Relationship is central, and these two may now be the closest they have ever been.
There will be challenges and celebrations along the way; love your kid.
Reach out; resources are listed below.
Resources
Beckham Ronaghan holds a Masters of Social Work, is a registered Social Worker in BC, and has their own private practice offering a range of individual and group support and services. Refer to Beckham’s website to learn more about working with them, and for detailed information about counselling and programs on offer. Click here to view Beckham’s website and for their contact information.
Family Services of the North Shore PROUD2BE program offers drop-in support groups for young people who identify as LGBTQ2S+ and their parents, click here to learn more.
To access counselling for children, youth, and adults, through Family Services of the North Shore programs, email our intake counsellor [email protected].
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, click here to learn more.
If enjoyed the podcast and would like to support our work, click here to learn about becoming a donor.
We would love to hear from you!
If you have questions about this podcast or suggestions for our future podcasts.
...more
1h 4min
April 27, 2022Youth Mental Health
Open hearts. Honest conversations.
Youth Mental Health
Valerie is joined by Taylor and Venus, both members of this year’s Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YouthLAB). Each year Family Services of the North Shore invites 12 youth from across the community to learn about mental health issues. The YouthLAB takes all that learning and creates a public awareness project to share with peers.
This episode is for youth and adults alike. If you’re a young person, you’ll get some good tips on managing stress and talking to the adults in your life. If you’re an adult, Taylor and Venus provide insights on what it’s like to be a teenager these days, as well as ways we can interact in a meaningful way with the young people in our lives.
In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about such things as social media, post-secondary education plans, and tools and ideas for taking care of your mental health. We also talk about the realities of their lives, and the complexities of being a teen in our world today.
Show Notes:
These days we hear a lot about youth mental health, and there is a lot of worry about the mental health of youth.
Things that are affecting the mental health of youth, from the perspective of two members of Family Services of the North Shore’s YouthLAB 2021/22 cohort.
Types of mental health challenges they notice in themselves and their friends and peers.
Ways they manage stress and anxiety.
Ways youth might be able to feel more ease and less distress in their lives.
How adults can be most helpful to the youth they care about.
Advice for parents about supporting their teens, and comfort and support tools and activities.
Social media, and their opinions about the positive of connection as well the negative impacts.
Global and social issues and how they influence and impact young people.
Opinions on therapy.
Resources:
To check out the new YouthLAB website click here.
To learn more about YouthLAB and support for Youth through the Agency, click here.
To access counselling for children, youth, and adults, email our intake counsellor [email protected].
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, click here to learn more.
If enjoyed the podcast and would like to support our work, click here to learn about becoming a donor.
We would love to hear from you!
If you have questions about this podcast or suggestions for our future podcasts.
...more
48min
March 07, 2022Living with an Eating Disorder
Open hearts. Honest conversations.
Episode 7: Living with an Eating Disorder – A Hopeful Journey
In this informative episode Val is joined by two guests, Vicky and Joanna, who are both experts on eating disorders and disordered eating. Together they talk about the ways in which people of all genders can be pulled into this difficult experience, the stages, characteristics, and myths, and how family and loved ones can provide support.
Vicky is a social justice practicum student working with Embody, and generously shares her own lived experience with an eating disorder from which she is now in recovery. Joanna Zelichowska is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who has been working in the field of eating disorders for more than 10 years and is the manager of Embody eating disorders awareness and prevention program. Joanna and team serve the province British Columbia by providing eating disorders prevention education, resources, and support for youth, families, educators, and professionals.
Show Notes:
Three common themes are explored as common characteristic of living with an eating disorder: disconnection, isolation, and stigma.
Through Vicky’s journey, elements of secrecy, loss, and shame are discussed, and how each can show up, intensify, and the role each plays progressively and overall.
We explore the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders.
Vicky talks about early signs in her journey, and how her eating disorder may have evolved.
Points of potential intervention are considered, and types of support are identified.
Advice for parents is offered by both Vicky and Joanna, and the importance of being curious about changes.
Often, we hear that one of the things that keep eating disorders in place is that people get praised for their weight loss. Vicky discusses the reality of this notion, and it’s impact.
On the outside Vicky appeared to be functioning at a very high level, she looked like a superstar. She discusses what was really going on inside for her during this stage.
It is often noted that eating disorders ‘work’ really well for people in the beginning. Vicky and Val discuss how Vicky realized it was no longer ‘working’ for her, and at what point she realized it was time to get help, and what that looked and felt like.
Vicky describes her experience with treatment, what was most helpful, and provides some insights and advice for people who may be contemplating treatment for themselves or a friend or loved one.
Recovery is discussed from the perspective of the characteristics and how you know you are there. Vicky shares how the eating disorder has changed her, and notion of (ever) being cured.
The ways in which eating disorders are different from other mental health issues and disorders is explained, and comorbidities are identified.
The understanding that eating disorders are about so much more than just food is discussed.
The team recognizes eating disorders have historically focused on the experiences of women and girls, but in reality, people of all genders experience eating disorders, and the importance of understanding and addressing this limited perspective.
Resources:
To learn more about Embody – the story behind the program and the range of resources available to you, click here to visit our website.
To access counselling for children, youth, and adults, email our intake counsellor [email protected].
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, click here to learn more.
If enjoyed the podcast and would like to support our work, click here to learn about becoming a donor.
In this episode we refer to the Eating Attitudes Screening Tool, click here to access the anonymous online screener.
We also refer to the Body Image Screening Tool, click here to use. This is also an anonymous online screener.
For more lived experience information, check out the Q&A Series the Embody website, click here.
Anxiety Canada and Embody Infographic on Anxiety and Eating Disorders is also a helpful tool click here to view.
We would love to hear from you!
If you have questions about this podcast or suggestions for our future podcasts.
...more
1h 14min
September 24, 2021Grief
Open hearts. Honest conversations.
Youth Mental Health
Valerie is joined by Taylor and Venus, both members of this year’s Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YouthLAB). Each year Family Services of the North Shore invites 12 youth from across the community to learn about mental health issues. The YouthLAB takes all that learning and creates a public awareness project to share with peers.
This episode is for youth and adults alike. If you’re a young person, you’ll get some good tips on managing stress and talking to the adults in your life. If you’re an adult, Taylor and Venus provide insights on what it’s like to be a teenager these days, as well as ways we can interact in a meaningful way with the young people in our lives.
In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about such things as social media, post-secondary education plans, and tools and ideas for taking care of your mental health. We also talk about the realities of their lives, and the complexities of being a teen in our world today.
Show Notes:
Bereavement is the term used to describe the holistic experience of loss, including the emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, and social experiences.
Grief is the word used to describe the emotional component of bereavement. Loss is the experience of being separated from something or someone that we love and care for. In other words, loss is the separation, and grief is the emotional reaction to the loss.
Loss is a normal part of the human experience. Even though loss is a normal and expected part of life we continue to have difficulties with it because it is a painful experience, and humans are wired to avoid pain.
We work very hard at avoiding pain, and the death of loved ones is not something that we can avoid. These losses bring up a lot of stuff for us, maybe the unfinished business of a conversation we didn’t finish, or actions we regret, so death brings a lot of discomfort to our lives.
When someone we love has died, or when we have experienced another major loss, the way we can make it less painful is to know that the pain of the loss is not going to kill us. We can talk about it to people who will just listen and witness our pain. We can think about how the pain teaches us about who we are. It’s important for us to not feel alone with the pain of a loss.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought out a lot of feelings of grief and loss. We can help ourselves and others live with these feelings by increasing the kindness we offer to others and to ourselves.
It is important not to compare our grief with others’ feelings of grief. The important part is your own experience of the loss, rather than comparing it to others’ loss.
It is important to take the lessons of the loss, learn from them, and figure out how to move forward; not forget where we’ve been but to take those lessons and apply them to the next part of life.
When we are supporting someone who has experienced a loss, we can best do this by offering our kind, gentle, and non-judgmental presence. We don’t have to know the right things to say, we can simply listen without interrupting.
In 1969 Elisabeth Kübler-Ross developed her Five Stages of Grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. A colleague later developed a sixth stage: making meaning. These stages are meant to describe the commonality of the human experience vis a vis grief and loss, but noting that this is not a linear process.
Grief moves us around. We have to learn who we are after a significant loss. We are changed by the experience.
Some common reactions to a major loss are: an initial shock period where the body and brain are not able to process the information, there’s also a change in breathing – people have a feeling of tightness in the lungs, there are changes in eating, sleeping, and exercising patterns. There is a period of evaluation where people think about their last conversations and list their regrets with that person, along with asking themselves if they played a part in the loved one’s death (could I have done something more? I should have done more…).
People also find themselves needing to be more in contact with nature or want to be home by themselves to process the experience. Others want to talk to God, and others aren’t interested in that at all. Some people return to church if they weren’t attending for a while. There is a period of personal reflection.
The most important part of the process of bereavement is not to judge our reactions to the loss. Everyone is unique in this.
There are three Burdens of Grief: (1) The loss of the person through death, (2) We are forever changed when somebody we love dies, and (3) Navigating a world that is not as sensitive or kind to people who are experiencing grief.
After someone has died, we develop a new type of relationship with them. The relationship exists, and it continues but it is not the same. It exists inside your heart and in your head rather than in a physical manifestation.
Rituals are a very important part of the bereavement experience. They are a way of taking what’s going on inside you and putting it up onto the table so you can see it, feel it, touch it, and manipulate it. Rituals help support the grieving process. You can not get the ritual process wrong. There are many ways to actualize our grief.
If we know someone who is bereaved, we can be helpful to them by being available for them to talk, and by not asking for all the details at first. We can trust that our friend or family member will tell us what they want to tell us, when they want to tell us.
It is important to hear what a bereaved person is needing, not what we, as their friend or family member, are feeling.
The lesson of bereavement is to not leave things unsaid. If you love someone tell them. If you have something to say, let your beloved friends and family hear it.
Resources:
To learn more about support for Grief and Loss through Family Services of the North Shore, contact Robin Rivers at [email protected] or phone at 604-988-5281 ext. 354.
To access counselling services, email our intake counsellor [email protected].
For additional support contact the BC Bereavement Helpline 604-738-9950 or toll-Free 1-877-779-2223, https://bcbh.ca/.
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, click here to learn more.
If enjoyed the podcast and would like to support our work, click here to learn about becoming a donor.
We would love to hear from you!
If you have questions about this podcast or suggestions for our future podcasts.
...more
57min
September 24, 2021 Grief
Show Notes:

Bereavement is the term used to describe the holistic experience of loss, including the emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, and social experiences.
Grief is the word used to describe the emotional component of bereavement. Loss is the experience of being separated from something or someone that we love and care for. In other words, loss is the separation, and grief is the emotional reaction to the loss.
Loss is a normal part of the human experience. Even though loss is a normal and expected part of life we continue to have difficulties with it because it is a painful experience, and humans are wired to avoid pain.
We work very hard at avoiding pain, and the death of loved ones is not something that we can avoid. These losses bring up a lot of stuff for us, maybe the unfinished business of a conversation we didn’t finish, or actions we regret, so death brings a lot of discomfort to our lives.
When someone we love has died, or when we have experienced another major loss, the way we can make it less painful is to know that the pain of the loss is not going to kill us. We can talk about it to people who will just listen and witness our pain. We can think about how the pain teaches us about who we are. It’s important for us to not feel alone with the pain of a loss.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought out a lot of feelings of grief and loss. We can help ourselves and others live with these feelings by increasing the kindness we offer to others and to ourselves.
It is important not to compare our grief with others’ feelings of grief. The important part is your own experience of the loss, rather than comparing it to others’ loss.
It is important to take the lessons of the loss, learn from them, and figure out how to move forward; not forget where we’ve been but to take those lessons and apply them to the next part of life.
When we are supporting someone who has experienced a loss, we can best do this by offering our kind, gentle, and non-judgmental presence. We don’t have to know the right things to say, we can simply listen without interrupting.
In 1969 Elisabeth Kübler-Ross developed her Five Stages of Grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. A colleague later developed a sixth stage: making meaning. These stages are meant to describe the commonality of the human experience vis a vis grief and loss, but noting that this is not a linear process.
Grief moves us around. We have to learn who we are after a significant loss. We are changed by the experience.
Some common reactions to a major loss are: an initial shock period where the body and brain are not able to process the information, there’s also a change in breathing – people have a feeling of tightness in the lungs, there are changes in eating, sleeping, and exercising patterns. There is a period of evaluation where people think about their last conversations and list their regrets with that person, along with asking themselves if they played a part in the loved one’s death (could I have done something more? I should have done more…).
People also find themselves needing to be more in contact with nature or want to be home by themselves to process the experience. Others want to talk to God, and others aren’t interested in that at all. Some people return to church if they weren’t attending for a while. There is a period of personal reflection.
The most important part of the process of bereavement is not to judge our reactions to the loss. Everyone is unique in this.
There are three Burdens of Grief: (1) The loss of the person through death, (2) We are forever changed when somebody we love dies, and (3) Navigating a world that is not as sensitive or kind to people who are experiencing grief.
After someone has died, we develop a new type of relationship with them. The relationship exists, and it continues but it is not the same.
...more
57min
May 27, 2021Family Caregivers
Open hearts. Honest conversations.
Youth Mental Health
Valerie is joined by Taylor and Venus, both members of this year’s Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YouthLAB). Each year Family Services of the North Shore invites 12 youth from across the community to learn about mental health issues. The YouthLAB takes all that learning and creates a public awareness project to share with peers.
This episode is for youth and adults alike. If you’re a young person, you’ll get some good tips on managing stress and talking to the adults in your life. If you’re an adult, Taylor and Venus provide insights on what it’s like to be a teenager these days, as well as ways we can interact in a meaningful way with the young people in our lives.
In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about such things as social media, post-secondary education plans, and tools and ideas for taking care of your mental health. We also talk about the realities of their lives, and the complexities of being a teen in our world today.
Show Notes:
A family caregiver is a relative or friend who provides care and support to someone living with chronic disease, disability, mental health, or age-related challenges.
There are currently 1.1 million caregivers in the province of British Columbia.
Anyone can find themselves in the role of caregiver; it’s a role that most people will take on at some point in their lives.
As an unpaid role, the family caregiver tends to be largely overlooked and underappreciated.
While most caregivers (64%) spend less than 10 hours a week on caregiving responsibilities, 1 in 3 seniors caring for a spouse spend more than 30 hours a week caregiving.
Typical daily tasks include grocery shopping, meal preparation, looking after finances, providing transportation, liaising with healthcare professionals, housework, and personal care.
While many find the experience of caregiving to be rewarding, caregivers also often report an increased level of stress and a decline in their overall health.
The level of stress tends to increase with the number of hours spent caregiving.
For someone with Alzheimer’s disease, behavioural changes may occur. If the person you are caring for becomes agitated or aggressive, it may be that they are over-tired, in pain or experiencing too much noise or confusion. Watch for early signs and deal with the cause before the behaviour begins. If the behaviour persists, seek medical guidance.
The care role often tends to blur boundaries, leaving the caregiver with a feeling of being always on alert, which in turn can lead to exhaustion and/or burnout.
Signs of caregiver burnout may include overwhelming fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, irritability or anger, difficulty coping with everyday things, trouble sleeping, depression or anxiety.
To maintain wellbeing and avoid caregiver burnout, check out community resources and reach out for support. Join a caregiver support group to connect with others who have had similar experiences. Reach out to agencies that provide support specific to the condition or disease your loved one is facing. Find ways to nurture yourself and take care of your own emotional wellbeing. Set an intention each day to actively look for moments of joy.
If you have become a caregiver for someone with whom you’ve had a difficult relationship, follow the above steps to avoid caregiver burnout, avoid arguing, step away and take deep breaths if you feel anger coming on, seek counselling and know your limitations. Find gratitude for the good things in your life.
There are many ways to support caregivers in your life. You could: reach out to let them know you’re there for them; listen without judgment or trying to fix things; suggest a way you could help, and learn about resources available in their community and share them with the caregiver.
If you’ve just begun this role, or if you’ve been caregiving for some time, know that you’re not alone. Reach out to join a caregiver support group where you can share the challenges and joys along the caregiving journey.
Resources:
To learn more about our Caregivers Connect program, email [email protected].
To access counselling services, email our intake counsellor [email protected].
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, click here to learn more.
If enjoyed the podcast and would like to support our work, click here to learn about becoming a donor.
For additional perspective and information refer to Insights on Canadian Society: The experiences and needs of older caregivers in Canada, Paula Arriagada, November 24, 2020.
For more information and resources for Family Caregivers, refer to Family Caregivers of BC.
We would love to hear from you!
If you have questions about this podcast or suggestions for our future podcasts.
...more
36min
May 27, 2021 Family Caregivers
Show Notes:

A family caregiver is a relative or friend who provides care and support to someone living with chronic disease, disability, mental health, or age-related challenges.
There are currently 1.1 million caregivers in the province of British Columbia.
Anyone can find themselves in the role of caregiver; it’s a role that most people will take on at some point in their lives.
As an unpaid role, the family caregiver tends to be largely overlooked and underappreciated.
While most caregivers (64%) spend less than 10 hours a week on caregiving responsibilities, 1 in 3 seniors caring for a spouse spend more than 30 hours a week caregiving.
Typical daily tasks include grocery shopping, meal preparation, looking after finances, providing transportation, liaising with healthcare professionals, housework, and personal care.
While many find the experience of caregiving to be rewarding, caregivers also often report an increased level of stress and a decline in their overall health.
The level of stress tends to increase with the number of hours spent caregiving.
For someone with Alzheimer’s disease, behavioural changes may occur. If the person you are caring for becomes agitated or aggressive, it may be that they are over-tired, in pain or experiencing too much noise or confusion. Watch for early signs and deal with the cause before the behaviour begins. If the behaviour persists, seek medical guidance.
The care role often tends to blur boundaries, leaving the caregiver with a feeling of being always on alert, which in turn can lead to exhaustion and/or burnout.
Signs of caregiver burnout may include overwhelming fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, irritability or anger, difficulty coping with everyday things, trouble sleeping, depression or anxiety.
To maintain wellbeing and avoid caregiver burnout, check out community resources and reach out for support. Join a caregiver support group to connect with others who have had similar experiences. Reach out to agencies that provide support specific to the condition or disease your loved one is facing. Find ways to nurture yourself and take care of your own emotional wellbeing. Set an intention each day to actively look for moments of joy.
If you have become a caregiver for someone with whom you’ve had a difficult relationship, follow the above steps to avoid caregiver burnout, avoid arguing, step away and take deep breaths if you feel anger coming on, seek counselling and know your limitations. Find gratitude for the good things in your life.
There are many ways to support caregivers in your life. You could: reach out to let them know you’re there for them; listen without judgment or trying to fix things; suggest a way you could help, and learn about resources available in their community and share them with the caregiver.
If you’ve just begun this role, or if you’ve been caregiving for some time, know that you’re not alone. Reach out to join a caregiver support group where you can share the challenges and joys along the caregiving journey.

Resources:

To learn more about our Caregivers Connect program, email [email protected].
To access counselling services, email our intake counsellor [email protected].
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, click here to learn more.
If enjoyed the podcast and would like to support our work, click here to learn about becoming a donor.
For additional perspective and information refer to Insights on Canadian Society: The experiences and needs of older caregivers in Canada, Paula Arriagada, November 24, 2020.
For more information and resources for Family Caregivers, refer to Family Caregivers of BC.
...more
36min
April 22, 2021Volunteerism
Open hearts. Honest conversations.
Youth Mental Health
Valerie is joined by Taylor and Venus, both members of this year’s Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YouthLAB). Each year Family Services of the North Shore invites 12 youth from across the community to learn about mental health issues. The YouthLAB takes all that learning and creates a public awareness project to share with peers.
This episode is for youth and adults alike. If you’re a young person, you’ll get some good tips on managing stress and talking to the adults in your life. If you’re an adult, Taylor and Venus provide insights on what it’s like to be a teenager these days, as well as ways we can interact in a meaningful way with the young people in our lives.
In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about such things as social media, post-secondary education plans, and tools and ideas for taking care of your mental health. We also talk about the realities of their lives, and the complexities of being a teen in our world today.
Show Notes:
People choose to volunteer for many reasons a few of which are: wanting to be included and part of their children’s or families activities, a desire to give back to the community, they have time and want to fill it, they have moved into a new neighbourhood and want to connect with others in their area and make friends.
Volunteering offers a sense of belonging, of connecting, and of contributing to the community.
Family Services of the North Shore volunteers are involved in many of the services our Agency offers. Some possible volunteer jobs are: flipping pancakes at client events or programs, delivering groceries, making caring phone calls to community members in need, behind the scenes administrative support and more.
There are opportunities for everyone depending on your interests, skills, and the amount of time you have to offer.
Volunteering is fun! Working with a group of committed people feels like good, meaningful teamwork. At Family Services of the North Shore, volunteer teams look at a problem in the community and work together to figure out how to resolve it.
During the pandemic our volunteers helped us develop our grocery delivery program and the caring phone calls that are made to individuals who are particularly isolated right now.
Through this connection to clients our volunteer program is able to respond the needs that clients tell us about, so that we can move nimbly to assist with community issues, often in real-time, as they come up.
Everyone benefits from volunteerism; clients and volunteers lives are enriched by their interactions, and relationships between volunteers teams often lead to great friendships.
One of the other benefits of volunteering is learning about members of the community you might not otherwise meet, regardless of their economic situation, work, age, cultural background, everyone.
An important aspect of this work is also realizing that in life, sometimes we are givers and sometimes we are receivers and it is only circumstances that separate those two groups. Many of our clients plan to become volunteers when they are in a better situation.
If you are on the fence about whether to volunteer or not “what are you waiting for? Just do it.”
Resources:
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, click here to learn more.
If enjoyed the podcast and would like to support our work, click here to learn about becoming a donor.
To access counselling for children, youth, and adults, email our intake counsellor [email protected].
Thrive Family Programs for parents of kids aged 0-6 are free of charge. Virtual and outdoor options available. To learn more, click here.
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If you have questions about this podcast or suggestions for our future podcasts.
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20min
April 22, 2021 Volunteerism
Show Notes:

People choose to volunteer for many reasons a few of which are: wanting to be included and part of their children’s or families activities, a desire to give back to the community, they have time and want to fill it, they have moved into a new neighbourhood and want to connect with others in their area and make friends.
Volunteering offers a sense of belonging, of connecting, and of contributing to the community.
Family Services of the North Shore volunteers are involved in many of the services our Agency offers. Some possible volunteer jobs are: flipping pancakes at client events or programs, delivering groceries, making caring phone calls to community members in need, behind the scenes administrative support and more.
There are opportunities for everyone depending on your interests, skills, and the amount of time you have to offer.
Volunteering is fun! Working with a group of committed people feels like good, meaningful teamwork. At Family Services of the North Shore, volunteer teams look at a problem in the community and work together to figure out how to resolve it.
During the pandemic our volunteers helped us develop our grocery delivery program and the caring phone calls that are made to individuals who are particularly isolated right now.
Through this connection to clients our volunteer program is able to respond the needs that clients tell us about, so that we can move nimbly to assist with community issues, often in real-time, as they come up.
Everyone benefits from volunteerism; clients and volunteers lives are enriched by their interactions, and relationships between volunteers teams often lead to great friendships.
One of the other benefits of volunteering is learning about members of the community you might not otherwise meet, regardless of their economic situation, work, age, cultural background, everyone.
An important aspect of this work is also realizing that in life, sometimes we are givers and sometimes we are receivers and it is only circumstances that separate those two groups. Many of our clients plan to become volunteers when they are in a better situation.
If you are on the fence about whether to volunteer or not “what are you waiting for? Just do it.”

Resources:

If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, click here to learn more.
If enjoyed the podcast and would like to support our work, click here to learn about becoming a donor.
To access counselling for children, youth, and adults, email our intake counsellor [email protected].
Thrive Family Programs for parents of kids aged 0-6 are free of charge. Virtual and outdoor options available. To learn more, click here.
...more
20min

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The podcast currently has 18 episodes available.